Why is collecting environmental data about the Edwards Aquifer important and how is it stored? On this episode Bryan Anderson, EAA Data Management Director, discusses with hosts Brent and Ann-Margaret the continuous data collected by the EAA Data Management Department. This department oversees 151 active monitoring sites where they collect data, process that data, and disseminate it to the public. Learn all about how the EAA manages these continuous data sets, and how they help us understand the Edwards Aquifer System.  

On this episode hosts Ann-Margaret and Brent interview Sarah Valdez, EAA STEAM Outreach Educator, about the EAA Education Outreach Center located at Morgan’s Wonderland Camp. Tune in as she discusses the one of a kind exhibits that will go in the 3,500 square foot space, which will feature unique learning experiences that will broaden imaginations through participation in innovative STEM opportunities with an inclusive mindset. This permanent location, which is scheduled to open Spring 2022, will be dedicated to teaching up to 500 students per day about the Edwards Aquifer!

On this episode hosts Ann-Margaret and Brent interview Mariah Bonham, Groundwater Protection Coordinator, regarding the groundwater protection initiatives at the EAA – ranging from the importance of well registration to historic records serving as a tool for finding abandoned wells throughout the EAA jurisdiction.  

We’ve officially made it to the anniversary month that launched the EAA into existence back on June 28, 1996, and on this episode hosts Ann-Margaret and Brent have two very special guests that have held longstanding positions on the EAA board since the EAA began operations, EAA chairman Luana Buckner, representative for Medina / Atascosa Counties, known as District 13 and board member Carol Patterson, representative for Bexar County, District 1. Hear their perspectives from serving on the board to the work the EAA has done and continues to do to manage, enhance, and protect the Edwards Aquifer.

As you all may know by now this year is International Year of Caves and Karst, and the ‘cave beetle’ has been designated as animal of the year. Hosts Ann-Margaret and Brent discuss two endangered beetle species with Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) Department’s Kristy Kollaus, EAA Environmental Scientist, and Kristina Tolman, EAA Habitat Conservation Coordinator.

On this episode, hosts Ann-Margaret and Brent speak with Paul Bertetti, EAA Director of Aquifer Science, about characteristics of karst and how it relates to the Edwards Aquifer. Also, Paul provides an overview of how the aquifer recharges and discharges, and how the index wells in Bexar County and Uvalde county are important to monitoring the Edwards Aquifer System.

On this episode, hosts Ann-Margaret and Brent speak with Earl Parker, EAA Director of Regulatory Affairs, about aquifer management and protection programs where the general principles outlined in the EAA Act were the catalyst for key regulatory programs, groundwater withdrawal management, water quality and recharge zone protection. Listen and learn more about the details of these programs, and how the EAA works to implement a community approach to Edwards Aquifer stewardship.

Hosts Brent Doty and Ann-Margaret Gonzalez speak with EAA Executive Director of Aquifer Management Services, Mark Hamilton, about long-term research for groundwater systems, surface water systems, and soil and land management practices out at the 151-acre EAA Field Research Park located in the Cibolo Creek Basin on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.

Hosts Brent Doty and Ann-Margaret Gonzalez speak with EAA General Manager, Roland Ruiz, as he further expands on the Next Generation initiative as a way to broaden the EAA’s opportunity to partner and collaborate, discusses a land management demonstration site that is underway at the EAA Field Research Park, and highlights the future EAA Education Outreach Center at Morgan’s Wonderland Camp.

On this episode, hosts Brent Doty and Ann-Margaret Gonzalez speak with Jim Winterle, EAA Director for Modeling, about aquifer modeling in which water well pumping and aquifer recharge data collected from over the past 80 years is used to simulate outputs like the springflows at Comal and San Marcos Springs or the water levels at index wells J-17 in Bexar County and J-27 in Uvalde County. Learn how aquifer models play an important role in the implementation of water conservation measures and protection for the Edwards Aquifer not only as a habitat, but as a water supply for over 2 million South Central Texans.