Natural Resources University

Collaboration of land-grant universities
  • 5.0 (122)
  • Natural Sciences
  • Updated Weekly

Natural Resources University is a podcast network focused on delivering science-based natural resource management. The series housed within this network aim to deliver expert-based knowledge for their corresponding genre of natural resource management.

  1. 2d ago

    Status of Wild Turkeys in Ohio | Wild Turkey Science #69

    Mark Wiley, Forest Gamebird Biologist for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, joins us to share insights on wild turkey populations, management strategies, and recent policy changes in the state.    Resources: Debunking the Drowning Poults | #168 Legends of turkey research | #50 Ohio Fall and Spring Hunting Season Reports Smith, C. R., et al. (2026). Annual survival and resource selection of juvenile male wild turkeys in central Tennessee. The Journal of Wildlife Management, e70255. What Affects Jake Survival? | Ep 199 Wild turkey populations in PA (Part 1/2) | Ep 25 Wild turkey populations in PA (Part 2/2) | Ep 26   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   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

    Status of Wild Turkeys in Ohio | Wild Turkey Science #69

  2. Oct 20

    Bat Exposure and Exclusion: From Risk Assessment to Resolution | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #628

    Bats play a vital role in our ecosystems, providing natural insect control and contributing to healthy environments. However, when bats enter homes, buildings, or other occupied structures, they can present unique challenges for wildlife managers, pest management professionals, and property owners. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss bat habitat, exposure, and exclusion. 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/@KSEWildlife

    Bat Exposure and Exclusion: From Risk Assessment to Resolution | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #628

  3. Oct 19

    The Skinny Hen Hypothesis | Wild Turkey Science #627

    In this episode, we dive into the literature to explore the complex relationship between body condition, reproductive success, and population dynamics in wild turkeys.   Resources: Badyaev, A. V., et al. (1996). Habitat sampling and habitat selection by female wild turkeys: ecological correlates and reproductive consequences. The Auk, 113(3), 636-646. Healy, W. M., & Nenno, E. S. (1985). Effect of weather on wild turkey poult survival. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 1985, 91-101. Lashley, M., et al.  (2026). Wildlife feeding increases risk of male wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) to hunter harvest. bioRxiv, 2026-04. Lashley, M. A., et al. (2025). Decreased female survival may help explain wild turkey population decline. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e1642. Londe, David W., et al. "Review of range‐wide vital rates quantifies eastern wild Turkey population trajectory." Ecology and Evolution 13.2 (2023): e9830. Norman, G. W., et al. (2001). Reproduction of eastern wild turkeys in Virginia and West Virginia. The Journal of wildlife management, 1-9. Palumbo, K. (2026). FACTORS INFLUENCING EASTERN WILD TURKEY (MELEAGRIS GALLOPAVO SILVESTRIS) PRODUCTIVITY AND NESTING CHRONOLOGY IN WEST VIRGINIA. Porter, W. F., et al. (1983). Effects of winter conditions on reproduction in a northern wild turkey population. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 281-290. Thogmartin, W. E., & Johnson, J. E. (1999). Reproduction in a declining population of wild turkeys in Arkansas. The Journal of wildlife management, 1281-1290. Tyl, R. M., et al. (2020). Factors influencing productivity of eastern wild turkeys in northeastern South Dakota. Ecology and Evolution, 10(16), 8838-8854. Vangilder, L. D., et al. (2000). Reproductive ecology of eastern wild turkey females in the eastern Missouri Ozarks. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2000, 53-59.   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   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

    The Skinny Hen Hypothesis | Wild Turkey Science #627

  4. Oct 17

    The Largest Whitetail Culling Study Ever Conducted | Deer University #626

    Jacob and Eric discuss the largest whitetail culling study ever conducted with Dr. Randy DeYoung. They talk about the monster project and the unexpected findings. 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)

  5. Oct 12

    The squirrely way oak ecosystems are shaped | Wild Turkey Science #625

    Dr. Alex Potash joins us to explore the ecological role of squirrels, focusing on their impact on oak regeneration and how animal behavior influences forest management strategies.   Resources: Chester, M., Beck, J., & Potash, A. D. (2025). Observation of a grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) suggests that some rodents can vomit. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 103, 1-4. Horn, C. C., et al. (2013). Why can't rodents vomit? A comparative behavioral, anatomical, and physiological study. PloS one, 8(4), e60537. Potash, A. D., et al. (2020). Ecological drivers of eastern fox squirrel pelage polymorphism. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 8, 119. Potash, A. D. (2023). Predators, Prey, and Acorns: An Exploration of Predator Distributions, Prey Behavior, and Ecosystem Process in the Southeastern US. University of Florida. Prince, A., et al. (2016). Resource selection by southeastern fox squirrels in a fire-maintained forest system. Journal of Mammalogy, 97(2), 631-638.   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   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

    The squirrely way oak ecosystems are shaped | Wild Turkey Science #625

  6. Oct 10

    Emerald Ash Borer with Dr. Colin Bonser | Timber University #624

    Emerald ash borer continues to spread across the South, threatening ash trees in forests, urban areas, and important bottomland hardwood ecosystems. In this episode of Timber University, Dr. Colin Bonser, an entomologist with Forest Health Protection in the USDA Forest Service, joins us to discuss emerald ash borer, how it is detected and monitored, and what its continued spread could mean for southern forests. Dr. Bonser explains how emerald ash borer attacks ash trees by feeding on vascular tissue beneath the bark, eventually girdling and killing the tree. We discuss common signs of infestation, including crown dieback, epicormic branching, D-shaped exit holes, and increased woodpecker activity. The conversation also covers Forest Service monitoring efforts, including the use of prism traps and attractant lures to detect new infestations. Recent detections in Louisiana are particularly important for Mississippi. Bonser discusses new detections in parishes along the Mississippi River and ongoing monitoring on the Mississippi side, including the Delta National Forest. Because ash is an important component of southern bottomland hardwood forests, widespread mortality could significantly alter forest composition and create longer-term ecological consequences. The episode also examines management options. Individual high-value ash trees can sometimes be protected through systemic insecticide treatments, but treating large numbers of trees is costly and generally impractical at the forest scale. We also discuss the economic consequences of losing ash, including impacts on timber value and industries that have historically relied on ash for products such as furniture, flooring, baseball bats, and musical instruments. This episode is a useful listen for forest landowners, consulting foresters, forest health professionals, forestry students, Extension professionals, and anyone interested in invasive species, bottomland hardwood management, and the future of ash in southern forests. Questions for Timber University can be sent to timberuniversity@gmail.com

    Emerald Ash Borer with Dr. Colin Bonser | Timber University #624

  7. Oct 9

    Deer Biomechanics and Deer-Friendly Fencing | Deer University #623

    In this episode, Dr. Gino D'Angelo and Lisa Jorge from the UGA Deer Lab join Jacob and Eric to discuss innovative research on deer fencing and urban deer management. They share insights into how fences affect deer behavior and how science is informing fence design.   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)

  8. Oct 8

    From Quail Cover to Duck Water: Preseason Habitat Management | Gamebird University #622

    In this episode of Gamebird University, James Callicutt and Mark McConnell catch up on fall habitat management for waterfowl and upland game birds. They discuss how timing, scale, and landscape context influence management decisions, from prescribed burning and fall disking to crop harvest, vegetation control, and water management.   The conversation covers habitat diversity, quail cover, food availability, waterfowl migration, and how birds respond to changing conditions across the landscape. James and Mark also discuss the importance of monitoring habitat response, adapting management when aggressive plant species become a problem, and recognizing that the same practice may produce very different results depending on where and how it is applied.   They close with discussion of waterfowl movements, thermal ecology, landowner management, and getting dogs ready for the upcoming hunting season.

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Natural Resources University is a podcast network focused on delivering science-based natural resource management. The series housed within this network aim to deliver expert-based knowledge for their corresponding genre of natural resource management.

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