The Natural Resources University podcast group received the gold award in the podcast or radio category
from the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP). The NRU podcast group includes the Habitat University podcast co-hosted by Purdue Extension wildlife specialist Jarred Brooke and Adam Janke, an extension wildlife specialist at Iowa State University.
“Receiving the ANREP Gold Award is an honor,” Brooke said. “What started as casual conversations amongst colleagues about creating science-based natural resources podcasts has blossomed into a podcast network with multiple unique podcasts and over 100 episodes. This collaboration has been a great avenue to get up-to-date science about natural resource management into landowners and managers' hands (and ears).”
The NRU podcast group initially began with four science-based podcasts covering different aspects of natural resource management: Deer University, Pond University, Fire University and Habitat University.
- Deer University, which is hosted by Dr. Bronson Strickland and Steve Demarais, focuses on the science of deer, including deer ecology, biology and management.
- Pond University, which was co-hosted by FNR’s Mitch Zischke and Megan Gunn before ending its 11-episode run in August 2021, covered topics from pond habitat to fish stocking, vegetation control and pond construction.
- Fire University, which is hosted by Dr. Marcus Lashley, covers the gamut of the latest research in fire ecology and how it relates to management of wildlife and plant communities.
- Habitat University, hosted by Brooke and Janke, discusses the science behind wildlife habitat management and how landowners and manages can use different habitat management practices to improve their land for wildlife.
Members of the four original NRU podcasts gathered for the 50th episode of the Natural Resources University New to the NRU family in 2022-2023 are:
- Wild Turkey Science – Dr. Marcus Lashley and Dr. Will Gulsby bring you the latest research on wild turkey ecology and management
- Timber University – Dr. Brady Self and Dr. Shaun Tanger cover the latest research in timber management.
- Working Wild University – Dr. Alex Few and Dr. Jared Beaver immerse the listener in stories at the heart of the struggle to sustain productive, resilient and connect rural landscapes and communities.
- Fish University – Dr. Wes Neal covers the latest research in fish management from the small pond to the vast ocean.
The series housed within the NRU network aim to deliver expert-based knowledge for their corresponding genre of natural resource management. The network is a partnership between the extension services at several land-grant university, including Mississippi State Extension Service, University of Florida Extension, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Purdue Extension. Funding for the project comes from the Renewable Resources Extension Act.
The Natural Resources University podcasts are available through the individual podcast websites, through the NRU podcast main hub or wherever podcasts are available to download.
The ANREP Awards Program aims to encourage, support and recognize outstanding natural resource programs. It strives to foster high standards among its members and help expand the use of high quality, innovative materials and programs by honoring the outstanding members and partners as well as the educational materials and programs they have developed. The ANREP Awards are selected by the awards committee as well as 48 member judges who evaluate and choose the recipients for outstanding educational materials and outstanding achievement.
Award recipients will be recognized during the online ANREP Annual Business Meeting on Wednesday, May 17.
Those recognized for their participation in the NRU Podcast Network are:
Iowa State University – Adam Janke
Montana State University – Alex Few and Jared Beaver
Mississippi State University – Bronson Strickland, Brady Self, Shaun Tanger and Wes Neal
Purdue University – Jarred Brooke, Megan Gunn and Mitch Zischke
University of Florida – Charlotte Nowak, Marcus Lashley
Western Landowners Alliance – Zach Altman and Louis Wertz
