Conservation

As things get chillier in NWA, resident and traveling monarch butterflies will migrate down to the warm forests of Mexico to spend the winter. Ozarks at Large’s Jack Travis visited the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks to speak with Kitty Sanders, lead volunteer for the garden’s butterfly garden, to get a better understanding of butterfly migration and how we can aid the winged insects in our own backyards.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would award more than $48 million in grants to 19 states and Guam as part of the Cooperative Endangered Species Fund to support land acquisition and conservation planning. $2.2 million of that went to Arkansas.

For the first time in 10 years, the Cave Springs community gathered in full force at the Illinois River Watershed Partnership sanctuary this weekend to celebrate the Bats and Bluegrass Festival. Ozarks at Large’s Jack Travis spoke with organizers and attended the event to get to know the people and causes behind the festival.

On today's show, the Illinois River Watershed Partnership combines bluegrass and bats for a conservation-themed event. Plus, the second summer for the University of Arkansas’ Master's program in Black sacred music is nearing the end. Plus, a non-profit radio station with a mission of community and music is ready to show off its new home.

Josh speaks with Shawn Hunter from the Diana project about her organization's work to protect the Diana butterfly, as well as upcoming pollinator month events.

Late last year, we heard from Shawn Hunter, the leader behind the Diana Project– an organization dedicated to raising awareness of Arkansas’ State Butterfly, the Diana Fritillary. Last week, Hunter caught up with Ozarks at Large’s Jack Travis at the Carver Center for Public Radio to talk about Pollinator Month– which is coming up in June. Hunter says a lot has happened for the Diana Project in 2024, including an exciting collaboration with the Nature Conservancy.

On today's show, we head out to the Farm to learn more about the research at the University of Arkansas away from Old Main. Also, a friendship of two poets— one in Fayetteville, one in Gaza. Plus, the similarities between creating software and music.

April is Earth Month, and Monday is Earth Day. If you’re still looking for a way to spend the holiday weekend, Environmental Educator Heather Ellzey might have some ideas for you. She visited the Bruce and Anne Applegate News Studio One to speak about her own journey to environmental activism- and share some ideas for sustainable, Earth-loving activities.

Next Monday is Earth Day, and this Saturday, April 20, the city of Fayetteville is planning a city-wide clean-up and native tree giveaway. Kristina Jones is the city’s Volunteer and Ecological Programs coordinator, and Brian Pugh is the Waste Reduction Coordinator. They spoke with Ozarks at Large's Jack Travis about the event.

The city of Lincoln’s Lincoln Lake recently received permanent protection. Thanks to a collaborative effort between Lincoln’s City Council and the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust, the almost 382-acre park will be preserved for outdoor recreation and ecological purposes. Ozarks at Large’s Jack Travis contacted the Land Trust’s executive director, Grady Spann, to learn more about what went into protecting the park.