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.