In this episode, Little Rock Zoo Director Susan Altrui and co-host Joy Matlock interview Rex Nelson, Senior Editor and columnist at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. They explore Rex's deep-rooted history as an Arkansan storyteller and discuss how the state's natural beauty and cultural attractions serve as a heart for the community.

Key Discussion Points

• Wildlife and Safety:
  • The hosts discuss a record-breaking year for bear attacks in Japan and link it to similar concerns in Arkansas, noting that poor harvests of acorns and hickory nuts drive bears into populated areas for food.
  • Susan Altrui emphasizes the strict "do not feed the bears" rule at the Little Rock Zoo and discusses Bear Awareness Week in May.
• Red Wolf Conservation:
  • The group highlights the Red Wolf, an original wolf of the South, and the ongoing conservation and repopulation efforts.
  • Arkansas State University (ASU) is noted as the official biobank for the Red Wolf, storing genetic material for research.
• The "Natural State" and Quality of Life:
  • Rex Nelson argues that in a post-pandemic world, amenities like the Zoo, hiking trails, and the Buffalo River are vital "economic development tools".
  • He explains that talented young people choose where to live based on outdoor recreation and "quality of life" rather than just industrial jobs.
• Little Rock’s Hidden Gems:
  • The conversation covers the beauty of Fourche Creek, an urban wetland within the city limits that features century-old cypress trees.
  • The hosts celebrate the success of downtown Little Rock and the significant financial investments being made in the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and the Clinton Presidential Center.
• The Zoo’s Centennial:
  • Susan reveals that research by historian Scott Carter moved the Zoo's founding date from 1926 to 1924.
  • The very first animal acquired by the Zoo in 1924 was a snake.

Guest Spotlight

Rex Nelson is a native Arkansan and a seasoned journalist who has covered everything from high school football to the election of Bill Clinton. He currently writes three columns a week focused on Arkansas culture, food, and history for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.