Hosts: Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P., Extension Associate Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky and Amanda Gumbert, Ph.D., Extension Specialist for Water Quality, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Guest: Beverly James, Preserve Director, Floracliff Nature Sanctuary

Episode 24: Floracliff Nature Sanctuary

In this episode, Carmen joins Beverly James, the Preserve Director at Floracliff Nature Sanctuary (located in the Kentucky River Palisades), to discuss the history, management objectives, and offerings at Floracliff. Learn about the unique ecosystems at Floracliff and the challenges associated with their preservation, restoration, and management. 

Episode Transcript: Click here to access the episode transcript which includes links.

Explore More: Want to learn more about Floracliff Nature Sanctuary and related topics?

Extension Publications/Resources

• Forest Health: Dealing with Nonnative Invasive Plants in Your Woodland (University of Kentucky)

Videos

• Dendrochronology (PBS)

Websites

• Floracliff Nature Sanctuary (Floracliff Nature Sanctuary)

Hosts: Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P., Extension Associate Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky and Amanda Gumbert, Ph.D., Extension Specialist for Water Quality, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Guest: Steve Blanford, United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Episode 23: Cover Crops

In this episode, Amanda joins Steve Blanford, Kentucky's State Soil Scientist, to discuss cover crops and the benefits they provide. Learn about aggregate stability, soil health, seeding cover crops, cost share programs, and how to conduct a slake test to determine the health of your soil.

Episode Transcript: Click here to access the episode transcript which includes links.

Explore More: Want to learn more about drinking water safety?

Extension publications

• Winter Cover Crops for Kentucky Gardens and Fields (University of Kentucky)

Videos

• Learn about Cover Crops and How They Can Benefit Your Farm (Mississippi USDA NRCS)

Websites

• Cover Crops and Soil Health (USDA-NRCS)

Hosts: Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P., Extension Associate Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky and Amanda Gumbert, Ph.D., Extension Specialist for Water Quality, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Guest: Wayne Sanderson, University of Kentucky, College of Public Health

Episode 22: Outdoor Water Recreation Safety

In this episode, Carmen joins Wayne Sanderson from UK's College of Public Health to discuss water safety when recreating outdoors. Learn about safety related to boats, temperature (hypothermia and hyperthermia), symptoms of dehydration, and flooding. Also learn about the importance of the buddy system through Wayne's own experiences at the Mt. St. Helens eruption and during an anthrax decontamination.

Episode Transcript: Click here to access the episode transcript which includes links.

Explore More: Want to learn more about water safety when recreating outdoors?

Publications

• A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats and Safety Tips (United States Coast Guard)

Videos

• Boat Safety (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources)

Websites

• Camping Health and Safety Tips (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Hosts: Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P., Extension Associate Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky and Amanda Gumbert, Ph.D., Extension Specialist for Water Quality, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Guest: Wayne Sanderson, University of Kentucky, College of Public Health

Episode 21: Drinking Water Safety

In this episode, Carmen joins Wayne Sanderson from UK's College of Public Health to discuss drinking water safety, an important issue that has entered the national conversation, in part, because of Flint, Michigan and Martin County, Kentucky. Learn about the importance of maintaining a sound water distribution system, the science of epidemiology, tips for protecting well water, and how land use impacts drinking water systems in ways you likely have not thought of before.

Episode Transcript: Click here to access the episode transcript which includes links.

Explore More: Want to learn more about drinking water safety?

Extension publications

• Drinking Water Standards (University of Kentucky)

Videos

• Seeing is Believing - Part 1 (University of Kentucky)

Websites

• Water Well Information for Homeowners (Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet)

Hosts: Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P., Extension Associate Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky and Amanda Gumbert, Ph.D., Extension Specialist for Water Quality, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Guest: Suzette Walling, Agricultural Extension Associate, Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky and Benjamin, Lily and Ms. Cummins of Redwood Cooperative School

Episode 20: Winning with Rain Gardens

In this episode, Amanda joins Suzette Walling at the Cat's Catchment along Farm Road on UK's campus to learn about rain gardens and the many benefits they provide beyond stormwater quality. You'll also get to meet Benjamin and Lily, two 5th grade students, who were part of a leadership team that designed and helped build a rain garden for Redwood Cooperative School and are now teaching other students about rain gardens.

Episode Transcript: Click here to access the episode transcript which includes links.

Explore More: Want to learn more about rain gardens and environmental education?

Extension publications

• Residential Rain Gardens: Design, Construction, and Maintenance (HENV-205)

Videos

• University of Kentucky CATchment Rain Garden

Websites

• Backyard Streams (University of Kentucky)

Hosts: Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P., Extension Associate Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky and Amanda Gumbert, Ph.D., Extension Specialist for Water Quality, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Guests: Dr. Mike Schmitt, Associate Dean for Extension, University of Minnesota and Dr. Beth Baker, Assistant Extension Professor, Mississippi State University

Episode 19: Hypoxia Task Force

In this episode, Amanda meets with Drs. Schmitt and Baker in Washington, D.C. to discuss the goals of the Hypoxia Task Force. Learn about hypoxia, its causes, what the task force is working on, and how Kentucky farmers play a role in protecting our state's and nation's waters.

Episode Transcript: Click here to access the episode transcript which includes links.

Explore More: Want to learn more about hypoxia and protecting Kentucky's waters?

Extension publications

• Reducing Stormwater Pollution (AEN-106)

Videos

• UK Watershed Protection and Restoration (multiple videos)

Websites

• Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force (USEPA)

Hosts: Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P., Extension Associate Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky and Amanda Gumbert, Ph.D., Extension Specialist for Water Quality, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Guest: Chris Dent, Dent Civil Engineering, LLC (formerly Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government)

Episode 18: Low Impact Development

In this episode, Carmen joins Chris Dent at the Ronald McDonald House to discuss low impact development and green infrastructure and how these practices can ameliorate some of the impacts of stormwater. Learn how development impacts soils and hence infiltration rates, types of permeable pavements, and the importance of maintenance in extending the life of these green infrastructure practices.

Episode Transcript: Click here to access the episode transcript which includes links.

Explore More: Want to learn more about low impact development and green infrastructure practices?

Extension publications

• Managing Stormwater Using Low Impact Development (LID) Techniques (AEN-118)

Videos

• UK Watershed Protection and Restoration (multiple videos)

Websites

• Backyard Streams (University of Kentucky)

Funding Opportunities

• Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant Program (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government)

Hosts: Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P., Extension Associate Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky and Amanda Gumbert, Ph.D., Extension Specialist for Water Quality, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Guest: Stacy Borden, University of Kentucky

Episode 17: Taming Stormwater with Trees

In this episode, Carmen joins Stacy Borden, the University of Kentucky's Arborculturalist, at the Kirwin-Blanding complex to discuss the importance of trees in creating a healthy urban ecosystem. Learn about the benefits trees provide in protecting stormwater quality, how to properly mulch a tree, the importance of having a diverse canopy, and opportunities to become involved in urban forest initiatives.

Episode Transcript: Click here to access the episode transcript which includes links.

Explore More: Want to learn more about urban trees and stormwater?

Extension publications

• Tree 101 (University of Kentucky)

Videos

• A Guided Nature Experience (University of Kentucky)

Websites

• Urban Forest Initiative (University of Kentucky)

Hosts: Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P., Extension Associate Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky and Amanda Gumbert, Ph.D., Extension Specialist for Water Quality, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Guest: Jennifer Carey, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Water Quality, MS4/Water Quality Section Manager

Episode 16: Stormwater

In this episode, Carmen joins Jennifer Carey at Coldstream Park to discuss stormwater. Learn about stormwater and how its managed, what the Lexington is doing to protect stormwater quality, and how you can play a role in protecting our local environment.

Episode Transcript: Click here to access the episode transcript which includes links.

Explore More: Want to learn more about stormwater and what you can do to protect stormwater quality and receiving waterbodies?

Extension publications

• Stormwater (HENV-203)

Videos

• UK Watershed Protection and Restoration (multiple videos)

Websites

• Backyard Streams (University of Kentucky)

Funding Opportunities

• Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant Program (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government)

Hosts: Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P., Extension Associate Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky and Amanda Gumbert, Ph.D., Extension Specialist for Water Quality, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Guest: John Wilson, Garrard County Judge Executive

Episode 15: Paddling Paint Lick Creek

In this episode,Amanda joins John Wilson, Garrard County Judge Executive, on a paddling trip down Paint Lick Creek. On this trip, Amanda and John discuss the impacts of land use on the health of Paint Lick Creek.

Episode Transcript: Click here to access the episode transcript which includes links.

Explore More: Want to learn more about land use impacts and water-related recreational opportunities in Garrard County?

Extension publications

• Living Along a Kentucky Stream (IP-73)

Videos

• UK Watershed Protection and Restoration (multiple videos)

Websites

• Backyard Streams (University of Kentucky)