In the June 2025 episode of the WildAg Podcast, host Tylor Bracken visits with Nebraska landowner and retired UNL professor Merlyn Nielsen to explore his journey in transforming working farmland into a thriving habitat for pheasants, waterfowl and other wildlife. Merlyn shares how he’s used conservation programs and permanent easements to plant native grasses, build ponds and reintroduce tree cover — all while keeping the land productive and sustainable. He also offers candid insight into the challenges landowners face in adopting conservation practices, from tax implications to generational resistance. With practical tips and personal stories, this episode is a thoughtful look at how stewardship can build both habitat and heritage.
Follow the links below to listen to this episode on your favorite platform:
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WildAg Contact Information
- Dr. Andrew Little: Profile, Instagram
- Nathan Pflueger: Profile
- UNL Applied Wildlife Ecology and Spatial Movement Lab site, Instagram
- Nebraska Pheasants Forever site, Instagram
WildAg is part of the Natural Resources University, a podcast network focused on delivering science-based information for natural resource management. Funding for this project comes from the Renewable Resources Extension Act.
