In this episode, Katie Murray, Executive Director of Oregonians for Food and Shelter (OFS) returns to the podcast, but this time to host a conversation with Isabella Nelson, recent graduate from Oregon State University (OSU) with an honors bachelor of science degree in environmental chemistry and a minor in toxicology, and Dr. Kim Anderson, professor from the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology at OSU. They discuss Isabella’s internship project with OFS which highlights how the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s flawed data analysis and misuse of environmental monitoring results can lead to inaccurate and warped conclusions. Isabella discusses her scientifically accurate analysis of data produced by the Pesticide Stewardship Partnership, a decades old program designed as a targeted, voluntary effort to identify local water quality issues and support education for pesticide applicators. The podcast explores how DEQ began using the program’s data inappropriately to make broad regional conclusions that inflate concerns over pesticide use and undermine trust. Isabella and Kim provide recommendations to refocus the program by applying sound science, improving data transparency and ensuring environmental policies are based on accurate, meaningful analysis that truly benefits both water quality and communities as the program as intended.