Natural Resources University

Latest Episodes:

Fire as Stewardship: Rural Leaders in Action | BGWT #500 Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, Noble County rancher Grady Parmley joins the team to share how prescribed burn associations empower landowners to use fire as a powerful tool for grassland management. Grady recounts his own journey from being intimidated by fire to leading burns on thousands of acres through the North Central Range Improvement Association.

With insights from OSU Extension experts John Weir, Dr. Laura Goodman, and Dr. Mark Turner, the episode explores how local PBAs foster neighborly cooperation, reduce wildfire risks, and improve both livestock and wildlife habitat.

Listeners will hear practical tips on equipment, safety, burn planning, and navigating the challenges of leadership and liability. Whether you're curious about how to join a burn association or want to improve your pasture management, this episode offers a blend of storytelling and expert advice that's as educational as it is inspiring.

Resources:

Oklahoma Prescribed Burn Association

The Rut | Deer University #499 Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Jacob and Eric catch up to discuss the rut. They cover everything from what triggers the rut to phases of the rut, changes in buck behavior, and hunting strategies.

Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits.

Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)

AL results on LPDV in wild turkeys | Wild Turkey Science #498 Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

We dive into Will's recent research assessing the effects and prevalence of Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus (LPDV) in wild turkeys in Alabama.

Resources:

Alger, K., et al. (2017). Risk factors for and spatial distribution of lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in New York State, USA. Journal of wildlife diseases, 53(3), 499-508.

Goodwin, C. C., et al. (2024). Experimental infection of domestic turkeys with lymphoproliferative disease virus of North American origin. Veterinary Pathology.

Shea, S. A. (2021). Retroviral infection dynamics in Maine's wild turkeys. The University of Maine.

Thomas, J. M., et al. (2015). Molecular surveillance for lymphoproliferative disease virus in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) from the eastern United States. PLoS One, 10(4), e0122644.

Ostrander, K. N., et al. (2025). Histomonosis and Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus in Male Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Alabama, USA. Journal of Wildlife Diseases.

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! Enroll Now!

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow

UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube

Donate to our wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!

Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

Watch these podcasts on YouTube

Please help us by taking our (quick) listener survey - Thank you!

Check out the DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support!

Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!

This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.

Music by Artlist.io

Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

Butterflies, Burn Units, and a Broader Vision for NREM with Dr. Jason Harmon | BGWT #497 Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

What do grasshoppers, prescribed fire, and peer pressure have in common? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jason Harmon, the new head of Oklahoma State University's Natural Resource Ecology and Management department, to find out.

From his early days counting insects in Wisconsin to leading research on pollinators and rangelands in North Dakota, Dr. Harmon brings a wide-lens perspective to land management - one that blends ecology, culture, and community.

Hosts John Weir, Dr. Laura Goodman, and Dr. Mark Turner chat with Dr. Harmon about everything from cattle grazing and monarch migration to how landowners manage for appearances rather than outcomes. They also explore how Oklahoma's ecological diversity - and its people - are shaping the future of conservation. Whether you're passionate about prescribed fire, curious about critters, or just love hearing smart folks talk about working landscapes, this one's for you. Takeaways

Dr. Jason Harmon's background blends insect ecology with rangeland research.
Cultural perceptions influence landowners' willingness to adopt ecologically diverse pastures.
Fire remains an unmatched tool for managing range health and reducing woody encroachment.
Oklahoma and North Dakota face different stages of similar land challenges.
Pollinators are not just bees-grasslands can host hundreds of native insect species.
Milkweed interactions with cattle are species-specific and under-researched.
Oklahoma's ecological range-from alligators to bighorn sheep-mirrors the diversity of its management needs.
Interdisciplinary collaboration enhances natural resource problem-solving.
Prescribed burning is a proactive solution that prevents larger wildfire disasters.
OSU's natural resource programs offer versatile career pathways through specialized tracks.

Timestamps

00:02:05 – Meet Dr. Jason Harmon and his journey to OSU |00:04:01 – Insect ecology and critter-counting origins 00:06:06 – Cultural peer pressure in land aesthetics 00:13:25 – Comparing North Dakota and Oklahoma land management 00:14:59 – Prescribed fire vs. grazing for ecosystem management 00:22:00 – Calf decomposition and surprising pollinator behavior 00:27:12 – Regal fritillaries and pollinator diversity 00:29:44 – Cattle interaction with milkweed species 00:33:39 – Adjusting to Oklahoma and its colorful town names 00:36:25 – Oklahoma's ecological diversity and wild inhabitants 00:42:29 – Dr. Harmon's vision for the department 00:49:00 – Promoting collaboration and public understanding 00:52:53 – Overview of OSU's undergraduate options in natural resources

Find all resources at BlazinGrazinWildThings.com

Emergency Trout Restrictions | Fish University #496 Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

he State of Arkansas is well known for its quality fishing opportunities, particularly its tailrace trout fisheries. Although Fish University has spent several episodes discussing the self-sustaining brown trout in the Little Red River, the majority of these fisheries are supported with catchable size, hatchery produced trout. Unfortunately, the two biggest hatcheries in Arkansas experienced major issues this past spring and summer, resulting in the loss of more than a million trout. With less trout available, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission had to take drastic measures. In this episode, Wes has a conversation with Trout Biologist Christy Graham to learn about what happened at the hatcheries, what it means for the rivers, and what the future of trout fishing in Arkansas will look like.

Do you have questions or comments? Follow the Fish University Facebook community and chat with Wes or suggest future episodes!

Watch this episode on YouTube (here)!

Waterfowl Migration | Fins, Fur, & Feathers | #495 Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Waterfowl and other birds often migrate long distances to optimize habitats for feeding and meeting. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss what triggers migration, how far species travel, and the cost and benefits associated with these long distance movements.

Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Program at Kansas State University. Find out more about the program at http://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html

Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSREWildlife

Landscape level habitat corridor sustains turkeys | Wild Turkey Science #494 Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss our recent paper quantifying turkey abundance, highlighting the Florida Wildlife Corridor and exploring how this project preserves turkey habitat amidst increasing development pressures. Paper will be linked as soon as it is released.

Resources:

Sibiya, M. D., et al. (2025). Data integration reveals that a statewide corridor initiative maintains greater wild turkey relative abundance and occupancy. Landscape Ecology, 41(1), 6.

Citizen science for turkeys (Ep 119) https://youtu.be/LEbFvaRhNKA

Scale of management for turkeys (Ep 156) https://youtu.be/2vIRBfFt-ls

Restoring the functionally extinct American Chestnut (Ep 157) https://youtu.be/ENrL86_i06g

eBird https://ebird.org/home

Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation https://floridawildlifecorridor.org/

FWC Summer Brood Survey https://myfwc.com/hunting/turkey/brood-survey/

iNaturalist https://www.inaturalist.org/

Merlin Bird ID https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Snapshot USA https://www.snapshot-usa.org/

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow

UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube

Donate to our wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!

Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

Watch these podcasts on YouTube

Please help us by taking our (quick) listener survey - Thank you!

Check out the DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support!

Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!

This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.

Music by Artlist.io

Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

Burn, Spray, Repeat: Taming Sericea Lespedeza | BGWT #493 Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, we hear from Kayla Moss, Extension Assistant at Oklahoma State University, about her groundbreaking research in Oklahoma. Moss shares how she tackled the invasive sericea lespedeza using a combination of fire, herbicide, and grazing. She discusses how growing-season burns, when followed by a well-timed herbicide application, delivered the most effective long-term control - reducing sericea cover from 35% to under 1%.

The episode also explores the unexpected return of native legumes after treatment, the resilience of sericea seedbanks, and the practical trade-offs producers face when balancing cattle gains with ecosystem health. Supported by co-hosts Dr. Laura Goodman, Dr. Mark Turner, and John Weir, this conversation is full of science-backed strategies, real-world challenges, and relatable advice for any land manager facing invasive species. Key Takeaways

Sericea lespedeza is highly invasive, with seedbanks that can persist for decades.
Growing-season fire followed by herbicide application a year later showed the most effective control.
Dormant-season fire alone may increase sericea cover.
Herbicide applied post-burn can reduce seed production significantly.
Cattle weight gains were not negatively affected by growing-season burns.
Native legumes like partridge pea and slender lespedeza can repopulate treated areas.
Seed germination of sericea is extremely tough, requiring even sulfuric acid in lab settings.
The cost of metsulfuron methyl herbicide is under $4 per acre.
Spot spraying and drone tech may offer future precision control options.
Integrated management is more practical and effective than standalone treatments.

Timestamps

00:01:46 – Meet the hosts and guest, Kayla Moss 00:02:37 – Overview of Osage County research site and plant community 00:03:29 – Introduction to sericea lespedeza and its invasive history 00:05:35 – Existing research gaps and integrating fire, herbicide, and grazing 00:07:04 – Wildlife implications and Bobwhite quail case studies 00:15:13 – Breakdown of treatment methods used in the study 00:19:01 – Impact of dormant vs. growing season fire 00:25:15 – Conditions of prescribed burns and drought effects 00:33:34 – Post-treatment results on sericea cover and seed production 00:40:01 – Native legumes returning after treatment 00:44:01 – Cattle weight gain comparisons and practical advice for landowners 00:51:31 – Final thoughts and takeaways

Find all resources at BlazinGrazinWildThings.com

Restoring the functionally extinct American Chestnut | Wild Turkey Science #492 Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

We're bringing back our episode exploring the American chestnut's history, ecological importance, challenges faced due to habitat change and disease, on-going conservation efforts, and how you can get involved in its ecological restoration.

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

Resources:

Diamond, S. J., et al. (2000). Hard mast production before and after the chestnut blight. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry, 24(4), 196-201.

The American Chestnut Foundation

The American Chestnut Foundation: Growing Chestnuts

Tree Snapp App

Varner, J. M., et al. (2021). Litter flammability of 50 southeastern north American tree species: evidence for mesophication gradients across multiple ecosystems. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 4, 727042.

We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio

Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! Enroll Now!

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow

UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow

UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube

Donate to our wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!

Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

Watch these podcasts on YouTube

Please help us by taking our (quick) listener survey - Thank you!

Check out the DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support!

Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!

This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.

Music by Artlist.io

Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

After the Harvest | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #491 Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

While a hunt may end with the release of an arrow or pulling the trigger, what a hunter does next has important legal, food safety, and food quality implications. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss important considerations for tagging and proof-of-sex requirements, care and handling of harvested game to minimize disease transmission, zoonotic diseases to be aware of, and how to handle harvested game to maximize the quality of the meat we harvest.

Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSREWildlife

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