{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Ducks Unlimited Podcast","title":"Water in the West: Snowpack, Alaska, and Duck Conservation (Ep 766)","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2339,"description":"Water drives everything in the western United States — and right now, it’s increasingly scarce.\nIn this episode, Ducks Unlimited's senior waterfowl scientist, Dr. Mike Brasher, sits down with Jeff McCreary, director of operations for the Western Region, to discuss waterfowl conservation across the Pacific Flyway. From declining snowpack and drying wetlands to competing water demands from agriculture, people, industry, and fish, Jeff breaks down the realities DU faces — and the solutions they’re working toward. He also introduces the new Alaska Initiative and how it will inform the future of conservation in the Pacific Flyway's most important area for breeding waterfowl.\nThe conversation spans the Central Valley of California, Klamath Basin, Great Salt Lake, and Alaska, highlighting how DU operates in some of the most complex and water‑limited landscapes in North America.\n\nIn this episode:\nWhy snowpack is the single most important driver of wetlands in the West\nHow declining snow and rising temperatures affect ducks, farms, and cities\nCurrent wetland conditions in California’s Central Valley and Klamath Basin\nBotulism risk and innovative water management solutions in Klamath\nWhy rain helps short‑term but snowpack determines fall habitat\nThe drying trend across the western U.S. and climate implications\nGreat Salt Lake: why it matters to millions of birds and people\nDU’s $100 million Great Salt Lake Initiative explained\nControlling “the thirsty three” invasive plants: phragmites, tamarisk & Russian olive\nAlaska’s outsized role in producing Pacific Flyway waterfowl\nDU’s new Alaska Initiative – Born to Fly\nWorking with native corporations, agencies, and industry in Alaska\nWhy conservation in Alaska is about understanding — not restoration\nSurprising work DU does on endangered fish recovery\nKeeping the Junior Duck Stamp program alive in Washington State\n\nThis episode offers a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at how DU operates where water is most precious — and why...","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}