Natural Resources University

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

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

    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

  2. 4d ago

    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

  3. 5d ago

    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)

  4. 6d ago

    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.

  5. Oct 7

    Adaptive Strategies to Manage CWD in Missouri | Deer University #621

    Jacob and Eric sit down with Jason Sumners, Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation, to discuss deer management, landowner collaboration, and adaptive strategies to address CWD. 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)

  6. Oct 6

    How to Tell if Your Pond is Too Old | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #620

    Much like terrestrial landscapes, ponds and aquatic environments change over time. Management plans can help support and drive how many of the processes in the pond play out over time. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss changes that occur in a pond over time, how to identify if these changes are occurring, and what you can do to help manage your pond for long-term success. 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

    How to Tell if Your Pond is Too Old | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #620

  7. Oct 6

    Cool Season Food Plots | Deer University #619

    Jacob and Eric catch up with Luke Resop, PhD student in the MSU Deer Lab, to discuss food plots. They cover the basics of cool-season food plots and what you can do to increase your chances of success. 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 5

    Offspring sex ratio in birds | Wild Turkey Science #618

    We deep dive into the complex mechanisms of sex determination in birds, focusing on how environmental and physiological factors influence sex ratios.   Resources: Aslam, M. A., et al. (2014). Effect of corticosterone and hen body mass on primary sex ratio in laying hen (Gallus gallus), using unincubated eggs. Biology of Reproduction, 90(4). Curry, J., et al. (2023). Dietary fat supplements influence weight gain and egg production, but not offspring sex ratios in Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica. Journal of Avian Biology, 2023(5-6), e03081. Dorr, B. S., et al. (2014). Geographic segregation and evidence of density‐dependent changes in sex ratios in an abundant colonial waterbird. Integrative Zoology, 9(5), 570-582. Emam, A. M., et al. (2024). Is the sex ratio of Japanese quail offspring equal?. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 56(8), 384. Müller, W., et al. (2002). Sex differences in yolk hormones depend on maternal social status in Leghorn chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 269(1506), 2249. Pike, T. W., & Petrie, M. (2003). Potential mechanisms of avian sex manipulation. Biological reviews, 78(4), 553-574. Pike, T. W., & Petrie, M. (2005). Maternal body condition and plasma hormones affect offspring sex ratio in peafowl. Animal behaviour, 70(4), 745-751. Pinson, S. E., et al. (2015). Timing matters: corticosterone injections 4 h before ovulation bias sex ratios towards females in chickens. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 185(5), 539-546. 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. Ulrey, E. E., et al. (2025). Female biased offspring sex ratios of eastern wild turkeys across the southeastern United States. Journal of Avian Biology, 2025(5), e03515. Wooten, M. T., et al. (2021). Effect of nutritional variance of energy and crude protein on sex ratio and development of W-36 parent offspring.   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

    Offspring sex ratio in birds | Wild Turkey Science #618
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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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