On this week’s program, your host, Justin Mog, takes a stroll along the Ohio River with Kristin Faurest, the new President and CEO of River Fields (https://riverfields.org/). For over 65 years, River Fields has worked to protect, preserve and enhance the natural and cultural resources, including agricultural and scenic resources, on both sides of the Ohio River between Westport and West Point, Kentucky, for the benefit of the public.

Read the Courier-Journal's interview with Kristen Faurest at https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2024/07/25/river-fields-leader-kristin-faurest-takes-helm-of-ohio-river-group/74270962007/

River Fields does several things: advocacy, conservation, and education – all around the river, its lands, and the people who depend upon them. The organization has gained national respect for its effective, professionally maintained program of advocacy, which works hand-in-hand with a land conservation program. For decades, they have advocated for the protection of land and water resources in balance with responsible growth in the region. River Fields supports planned development, growth management, greater public access, environmental and historic preservation, the enhancement of scenic views, urban design, and transportation reform.

One of River Fields’ primary goals is to provide education on the importance of the river, the cultural and natural resources of the river corridor, public access needs, and open space protection as well as growth issues that might jeopardize these resources. To accomplish this goal, they provide vital information to, and work closely with, local citizen’s organizations, decision makers, and the news media.

One of the organization’s recent advocacy issues was to stop a planned barge repair facility at the foot of six mile island that would have jeopardized a nesting area for bald eagles and also potentially endanger our water supply. They have also educated members of the legal community about conservation easements, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act through continuing education seminars at the Louisville Bar Association.

River Fields has worked successfully with landowners and supporters to preserve thousands of acres of beautiful open space, productive farms, diverse woodlands and unique wetlands along the Ohio River Corridor and Watershed. They own 13 river corridor properties outright, totaling over 65 acres. Their largest property, Garvin Brown Preserve in Prospect, is open to the public every day from dawn to dusk. In addition, they hold conservation easements that restrict the development rights to 17 additional properties in Jefferson and surrounding counties. These easements protect more than 2,172 acres of land that is important to the public, including sensitive wetlands and watersheds, beautiful scenic vistas, wildlife habitats, historical properties and landscapes, and working farms. In total, River Fields has protected over 2,200 acres of land forever.

As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW!

Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at http://forwardradio.org

The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at http://appalatin.com