Unlock the secrets of sustainable lake conservation and soil health with our guests, Tashina Lahr-Manifold, Soil Health Specialist, and Amanda Heltzel, Education-Outreach Coordinator. Discover how Tashina, who grew up on a Clydesdale farm, and Amanda, who was raised on a row crop farm, transform their agricultural backgrounds into a mission for environmental change. Their inspiring stories reveal a commitment to nurturing the land and engaging the community, from Tashina’s work as a Soil Health Specialist educating farmers on conservation practices to Amanda’s role as Education Coordinator lighting the spark of nature appreciation in young minds through programs like the Indiana Master Naturalist Program.
Join us as we explore the vital link between soil health and aquatic ecosystems, emphasizing sustainable agricultural practices such as reduced tillage and cover cropping. These methods not only preserve topsoil but also prevent erosion and nutrient runoff that harm fish habitats and encourage toxic blue-green algae growth. Learn about the indispensable role of conservation districts, especially in Kosciusko County, where local and federal partnerships fuel impactful, yet often underappreciated, initiatives. With insights into technology like drone seeding and the essential involvement of community volunteers, this episode paints a hopeful picture of a future where sustainable practices lead to thriving ecosystems both above and below the water’s surface.

Learn more about the Lilly Center's work at https://lakes.grace.edu/.

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