Host Bob St. Pierre sits down with Dr. Dirac Twidwell, a professor and research scientist from the University of Nebraska, to talk about his hunting roots and life’s mission to save America’s last remaining grasslands. Dr. Twidwell explains the concept of the “Green Glacier” of woody vegetation taking over the Great Plains, and why prescribed fire is the most important tool for grassland habitat conservation. He also reports that woody encroachment is now equal to land conversion for agricultural production as the top two factors in habitat loss across the country.
Episode Highlights:
- Dr. Twidwell explains how his bird hunting trips had been moving west to keep ahead of the “Green Glacier” of woody encroachment into grasslands to find better upland gamebird populations before he even knew of the Green Glacier concept’s existence.
- The guys discuss Dr. Twidwell’s bird hunting roots and how his work to save America’s grasslands through science is akin to keeping a promise “to his 8-year-old self.”
- Dr. Twidwell also reports The Sandhills of Nebraska as the single most intact grassland remaining on the entire planet.
- Learn more about Dr. Twidwell’s work on the Working Lands for Wildlife website or read his paper at the Society for Conservation Biology.
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