Natural Resources University

Latest Episodes:

Managing Woodlands for Wildlife | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #460 Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Forests and woodlands are terms commonly used interchangeably, but did you know they are different ecosystems? Join Joe and Drew as they discuss the differences in wooded areas and how to best manage them for native wildlife.

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

You should be doing this for turkeys | Wild Turkey Science #459 Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss what you should be thinking about and implementing on your property for turkeys right now.

WATCH this episode here!

Resources:

Guide to Wildlife Food Plots and Early Successional Plants, Dr. Craig Harper

00:00 Introduction and Banter

02:55 Habitat-Centric Discussions

05:55 Fishing Adventures and Insights

08:48 Turkey Management Strategies

11:45 Field Management for Turkeys

14:48 Importance of Early Successional Cover

17:36 Burning and Timber Harvest Planning

28:53 Expanding the Burn Window

30:15 Increasing Sunlight for Turkey Abundance

31:44 Optimizing Poults Habitat

34:01 Managing Old Fields for Turkeys

35:55 Evaluating Agronomic Crops for Wildlife

37:46 The Role of Joint Vetch in Habitat Management

39:59 Balancing Ideal vs. Optimal Management

42:23 Practical Approaches to Habitat Management

43:48 Mast Management and Acorn Production

44:50 Identifying and Managing Problematic Trees

46:45 Combatting Ryegrass in Food Plots

50:15 Evaluating Management Practices

Fundraising Banquet (To enter the online raffles, click on 'Get Tickets' and then scroll down to the 'Add-ons')

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. 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 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 NEW 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

Shaping the Heartland - The Evolution of Working Landscapes | WildAg #458 Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

This month we are joined by Dr. Larkin Powell, Director of the School of Natural Resources at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. With years of research experience in the Great Plains and beyond, Dr. Powell narrates the story of how our agricultural landscapes have changed over time and the opportunities and challenges that come along with these changes. We also discuss Dr. Powell's upcoming book, "The Best of Intentions: A story of landscape change in the Great Plains."

Resources:

Dr. Larkin Powell [website, academic profile, LinkedIn, @larkinpowell]

Dr. Andrew Little [academic profile, @awesmlabdoc]

Nathan Pflueger [website]

AWESM Lab [website, @awesmlab]

Nebraska Pheasants Forever [website, @pheasants_quailforever_of_ne]

Watch these podcasts on YouTube

If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and review so others can find us!

We are dedicated to bringing important information and new ideas to listeners just like you. Help us keep WildAg going by donating to the podcast: https://nufoundation.org/fund/01155570/

Or, learn more about how your organization can sponsor episodes: https://awesmlab.unl.edu/wildag-sponsorship/

Music by Humans Win

Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin

Island Fish | Fish University #457 Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

How do fish colonize newly formed island streams? How do fish get above a 200-foot waterfall? Answers to these questions and more on this episode of Fish University. Wes sits down for a conversation with Dr. Gus Engman from the University of Tennessee about island fish and the threats that they face. They also talk about their new book and how you can get a digital copy absolutely free! So, join us, won't you?

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

All about firebreaks | Wild Turkey Science #456 Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

We discuss the importance of firebreaks for turkey hunting and habitat management, exploring the various types of firebreaks, their strategic uses, and practical tips for effective management.

WATCH this episode here!

Resources: What would Lovett do? #124

00:00 – Intro

01:18 – Chitter chatter

02:00 – Choosing Firebreaks

04:00 – Wildlife Value of Planted Firebreaks

06:00 – Designing Firebreaks for Habitat & Access

08:00 – Common Misconceptions about Firebreaks

12:00 – Real-world Examples from the Field

20:00 – Regional Variation & Turkey Use

26:00 – Seasonal Management & Prescribed Fire

34:00 – Integrating Firebreaks into Larger Management Goals

Fundraising Banquet (to enter into the online raffles, click on 'Get Tickets' and then scroll down to the 'Add-ons')

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. 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 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!

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!

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

Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

Watch these podcasts on YouTube

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

Get a 10% discount at Grounded Brand by using the code 'TurkeyScience' at checkout!

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

Slippery Slope to Slime | Fish University #455 Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

The word "jellyfish" may bring up a memory of an unpleasant beach experience, or of nostalgic childhood days watching Spongebob Squarepants. Often jellyfish don't get the love that many other marine critters enjoy, but Spongebob certainly loved them, as fishing for jellyfish was his favorite pastime. Although jellyfish can be a nuisance and a hazard, they are an important component of marine ecosystems. Their lifecycle is fascinating, and their survival instinct is impressive. On this episode of Fish University, we'll dive deep into the world of cnidarians with someone almost as passionate as Spongebob about these brainless, boneless creatures. Ms. Diana Philips joins us from Reef Environmental Education Foundation to share with us her knowledge, passion, and a little humor about these misunderstood denizens of the deep.

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

Benefits of Flooding for Wildlife | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #454 Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Flooding is often associated with negative consequences for humans, but did you know that floods can provide many benefits for wildlife? Join Joe and Drew as they discuss what a flood is, some reasons why flooding occurs, and give insight on how animals respond to flooding.

Progress on property management | Wild Turkey Science #453 Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss progress that we're seeing on private lands management.

Watch this episode here!

Resources:

Fundraising Banquet (to enter into the online raffles, click on 'Get Tickets' and then scroll down to the 'Add-ons')

Has turkey habitat changed? | #21

Turner, M. A., et al. (2021). Mixture of triclopyr and imazapyr more effective than triclopyr alone for hardwood forest stand improvement. Forest Science, 67(1), 43-48.

Which plants for brooding cover? | #142

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. 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 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!

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!

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

Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

Watch these podcasts on YouTube

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

Get a 10% discount at Grounded Brand by using the code 'TurkeyScience' at checkout!

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

Which plants for brooding cover? | Wild Turkey Science #452 Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

We're bringing back our episode on indicator plants for evaluating successful brood field management.

Watch this episode here!

Resources:

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. 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 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!

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!

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

Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

Watch these podcasts on YouTube

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

Get a 10% discount at Grounded Brand by using the code 'TurkeyScience' at checkout!

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

Snakes | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #451 Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Snakes are a group of species that many people dislike or have a strong fear of. Join Drew and Joe in this episode as they discuss snake natural history, management, and how to stay safe around snakes - including venomous species.

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