{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Ducks Unlimited Podcast","title":"Seeing Beyond the Duck: Conservation at Scale in the Great Lakes & Atlantic Region (Ep 773)","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2424,"description":"The Great Lakes and Atlantic Region may be Ducks Unlimited’s largest and most diverse — and it’s where conservation relevance is helping drive growth in habitat delivery.\n\nIn this episode, DU podcast host and Senior Waterfowl Scientist, Dr. Mike Brasher, continues our trip around the regions with Jamie Rader, Ducks Unlimited's Director of Operations for the Great Lakes & Atlantic Region. Spanning 21 states from Maine to Minnesota, Jamie oversees one of DU’s fastest‑growing conservation teams and shares what it takes to deliver wetland conservation at scale in landscapes shaped by people, agriculture, and development.\n\nJamie reflects on his path from West Tennessee duck hunts to graduate work in Hawaii, mentorship under legendary waterfowlers, and leadership across nearly every DU region before taking the helm in Ann Arbor. From there, the discussion turns to breeding conditions, migration, and the innovative partnerships driving record conservation growth across the region.\n\nIn this episode, listeners will hear about:\nJamie Rader’s career path through Ducks Unlimited and field biology\nMentorship, duck hunting culture, and lessons learned in the blind\nThe scope of the Great Lakes & Atlantic Region (“the five M’s”)\nExplosive growth in staff, funding, and conservation delivery since 2020\nSpring breeding conditions across the Great Lakes, Midwest, and Northeast\nFlooding, snowfall, and late‑season wetland replenishment\nMajor conservation programs including H2Ohio and Chesapeake Bay initiatives\nWater quality funding as a pathway to waterfowl habitat gains\nWorking lands conservation with farmers and producers\nSoil health, wetland restoration, and nutrient reduction strategies\nExpanding DU’s relevance beyond traditional waterfowl audiences\n“Seeing beyond the duck” in coastal, urban, and population‑dense regions\nWhy relevance, partnerships, and innovation are essential to future success\nThis episode highlights how Ducks Unlimited continues to adapt — delivering habitat...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/l9P4SkFXvPCREt6eTfTD5odOxdx8hOF2b5qKX09C2oY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9iNDJi/ODNkMmQ5ZWY5Mjdm/YzdhMDIxNGNiODEx/MmNhZi5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}