E14: More Than Just a Water Trough, with Eric Kellegrew (Sacramento Valley Conservancy)

On this episode I talk with Eric Kellegrew, Stewardship Director of the Sacramento Valley Conservancy, to walk through the task and effort of developing a well and water trough system at the 4,600-acre Deer Creek Hills Preserve, located in east Sacramento County. A superficially unassuming and honestly uninteresting accomplishment, that is, without context. It turns out this inconspicuous water source provides the means and adds significant capacity to better manage thousands of acres of rangelands, improving cattle management by better dispersing grazing pressure, supplying water for restoration and replanting efforts, and providing a perennial water source for wildlife on an otherwise parched landscape through the summer and fall months.

In my opinion this project perfectly embodies the nature of stewardship work. You identify a problem, you use what you got to find a solution, and it takes a long time, but it’s worth it. We really get into the weeds on this one, dissecting the behind-the-scenes work that often goes unrecognized. Hope you enjoy.

For more information on events and ways you can experience the lands protected by SVC click here.