Invasives don’t knock—they hitch a ride. Dr. Karen Hickman joins the crew to unpack how plants like Callery pear, Old World bluestem, sericea, and Johnson grass spread across the southern Great Plains—and what landowners can do now. From roadside ditches and hay donations to oilfield traffic and “sterile” ornamentals, we hit practical prevention, better plant alternatives, contract language, and when to use fire and grazing to hold the line.

Can grazing replace fire? Dr. Esben Kjaer doesn’t think so. In this episode, the Blazin’ Grazin’ crew talks with Oklahoma State University’s newest rangeland researcher about his work across Kansas and North Dakota, exploring how fire, forage, and livestock interact to build healthier, more diverse prairies. From wildfires and wary county commissioners to bluegrass invasions and CRP experiments, this conversation sparks insight into how Great Plains land stewards can keep the landscape thriving.

In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, we're talking with Noble County rancher and long-time prescribed burn advocate Grady Parmley about how local burn associations build community, manage risk, and make fire a tool for landscape restoration and forage improvement. This episode digs into the history, challenges, and surprising benefits of prescribed burning in Oklahoma. Grady shares how he went from fearing fire to becoming an integral part of the North Central Range Improvement Association, helping neighbors burn thousands of acres safely and effectively. We cover the evolution of Grady's ranching journey, lessons learned from burn mishaps, the role of planning and leadership in successful burns, and how prescribed fire supports both livestock production and wildlife, like quail and deer. There's also a fascinating discussion about balancing liability, maintaining equipment, and getting buy-in from landowners. If you've ever wondered how prescribed burning works on the ground in Oklahoma or want to get involved with a local Prescribed Burn Association, this episode is a must-listen.

We welcome Dr. Jason Harmon, the new department head of Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Oklahoma State University. He shares his journey from critter-counting entomologist in Wisconsin to leading the charge on range and wildlife ecology in the Great Plains. With his background in insect ecology, pollinator conservation, and adaptive land management, Dr. Harmon brings a fresh and multi-disciplinary perspective to the NREM department. Together with hosts Dr. Laura Goodman, John Weir, and Dr. Mark Turner, we dive deep into the cultural, ecological, and practical challenges of land stewardship. From the stigma around weedy pastures and the visual expectations of landowners, to the expanding role of prescribed fire and the dynamics of pollinators and milkweed species, this episode offers valuable insight for landowners, extension professionals, and conservationists alike. Dr. Harmon’s vision for the future of NREM is collaborative, holistic, and rooted in science and service.

In this episode of Blazin’ Grazin’ and Other Wild Things, we’re headed to Osage County with Kayla Moss, Extension Assistant at Oklahoma State University, to dig into one of the peskiest problems on the prairie: sericea lespedeza. Kayla shares findings from her multi-year study on how prescribed fire, herbicide, and grazing can work together (or against each other) when managing this tough invasive species. Spoiler alert: timing really is everything when it comes to burning and spraying. Joined by co-hosts Dr. Laura Goodman, Dr. Mark Turner, and John Weir, Kayla breaks down why growing-season fires may be the ticket to knocking back sericea—and how a well-timed herbicide follow-up can seal the deal without hurting native legumes and wildlife habitat. Whether you’re managing land for cattle, quail, or conservation, this episode is packed with practical insights and ground-tested strategies you can use across the Great Plains and beyond.

In this episode, our hosts sit down with Dr. Jonathan Cammack, Extension Livestock Entomologist at Oklahoma State University, to discuss the troubling northward advance of the New World Screwworm. Once eradicated from the U.S. in the late 20th century, this destructive pest is again making headlines as it moves from Central America into Mexico—now only about 300 miles from the U.S. border. Dr. Cammack explains the history of eradication efforts, including the groundbreaking sterile fly release program, and details why current prevention depends on vigilant monitoring, quick wound treatment, and international cooperation. The discussion also covers the severe impact that screwworm infestations have on both livestock and wildlife, drawing parallels to the devastating losses seen in Florida’s endangered Key Deer population. From treatment options and insecticide limitations to the importance of adjusting calving seasons, this episode offers a deep dive into strategies producers and wildlife managers can take to stay ahead of the threat. Plus, listeners get an update on another invasive pest: the recently detected Asian Longhorned Tick in northeast Oklahoma.

In this episode, John Weir, Dr. Laura Goodman, and Dr. Mark Turner as they dive into the nuts and bolts of Forest Stand Improvement. This episode is packed with helpful tips and honest talk about making your woods work better for wildlife. Whether you're just starting out or have been managing land for decades, there's something here for you. John, Laura, and Mark break down tree thinning, fire planning, and even why some oaks might need to go (we know, it sounds wild). They also share favorite tools for plant ID and explain how opening up your canopy can bring a whole new layer of life to your land. If you're trying to balance habitat goals with practical management, this is one you won't want to miss.

This episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things dives into the often-overlooked yet increasingly valuable land management practice of growing season burns. Hosts John Weir, Dr. Laura Goodman, and Dr. Mark Turner unpack the science, history, and hands-on experiences behind summer burns—explaining how these slow-moving fires are not just safe but also highly effective at controlling eastern redcedar, improving forage quality, and boosting wildlife habitat. With anecdotes from the field and a healthy dose of humor, they explore why summer may be the best season for burning. From managing risk and reducing liability to increasing the palatability of forage for livestock and wildlife alike, the team breaks down the data and dispels myths around fire's role in sustainable land management. Whether you're an experienced burner or just curious, this is a must-listen for landowners and managers in Oklahoma and beyond.

Central Oklahoma’s public lands don’t manage themselves. In this episode of Blazin’ Grazin’ and Other Wild Things, veteran wildlife manager Jeff Pennington explains how the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation stewards roughly 125,000 acres of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) scattered from Kansas to Texas. He explains why deer now dominate management goals, how diverse habitats—from Cross Timbers uplands to Red River wetlands—shape every decision, and why prescribed fire remains the single most important habitat tool on state lands. Jeff pulls back the curtain on ODWC’s “snake-flexible” burn crews, averaging 16–17 thousand acres of fire a year on a three-year rotation, while juggling hunters, smoke rules, and unpredictable weather. From summer burns that drive cattle to winter lines that shape quail cover—and the unforgettable day his crew discovered his pants were literally on fire—this conversation delivers field-hardened advice any rural land steward can use.

Join us on this episode of Blazin’ Grazin’ and Other Wild Things as we dive into the unique challenges and inspiring successes of managing wildlife habitat on private lands across Oklahoma. Josh Richardson, Private Lands Supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, shares his journey from a wheat farm in Colorado to the heart of Oklahoma’s conservation efforts. With only five staff supporting 95% of Oklahoma's privately owned land, the task is massive—but passion and partnerships make it possible. From quail studies using GPS trackers to innovative community-driven cedar-clearing projects, Josh explains how meaningful habitat work takes root. Discover what species landowners ask about most (spoiler: beavers made the list), how social dynamics influence land management, and what free technical assistance and cost-share programs are available to landowners of all sizes. Whether you're deep in the woods or managing a small parcel from the city, this episode is full of insights and encouragement.

Step into the heart of Oklahoma’s Tallgrass Prairie with Bob Hamilton of The Nature Conservancy as he shares the powerful story behind one of the nation’s largest and most ambitious prairie restorations. From reintroducing bison to unleashing the ecological power of fire, Bob unpacks decades of work transforming a historic ranch into a thriving ecosystem where wildlife, native grasses, and scientific innovation flourish. Joined by OSU’s John Weir and Dr. Laura Goodman, this episode reveals how “managed chaos” and patch-burn grazing create a living laboratory for land management, biodiversity, and the future of America’s grasslands.

What happens when a biologist, a fire ecologist, and a whole lot of cedar trees meet in the Cross Timbers of Oklahoma? You get a wildfire of insights—both literal and metaphorical. In this episode, John Weir and Dr. Mark Turner sit down with Tanner Swank and Adam Ray from Quail Forever to uncover the strategies, setbacks, and successes in the ongoing battle for healthy grasslands across the Great Plains. From prescribed fire and brush management to building community through burn associations, this conversation explores how science and landowners are working together to restore native habitats. Whether you're managing for quail, deer, or just trying to save your land from woody encroachment, there’s something here for every land steward.

In this special episode, the crew sits down with one of the foundational voices in prescribed fire and rangeland management: Dr. Dave Engle. From lighting tumbleweeds as a kid in New Mexico to shaping modern fire ecology in Oklahoma and beyond, Dr. Engle shares a lifetime of fiery insights (and a few smoky memories). The conversation is equal parts education, storytelling, and tribute to decades of leadership in fire science, grazing systems, and eastern redcedar battles. You’ll hear the origin stories behind patch-burn grazing, early challenges with burning Cross Timbers, and what it was like developing one of the most respected fire programs in the country from scratch, starting with two drip torches and a couple of backpack pumps. Plus, he breaks down the rise of the eastern redcedar invasion and how researchers, agencies, and landowners are finally catching up to what he’s been warning about for decades.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Terry Bidwell — emeritus professor and longtime OSU Extension rangeland specialist — for a lively, insightful conversation about restoring native plant communities through fire and grazing. With stories that range from gas-can burns gone wrong to patch-burn systems that build biodiversity, Dr. Bidwell shares decades of wisdom on how ranchers can manage land for wildlife, profit, and resilience. If you care about cows, quail, or conservation, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we're joined by Cole Fagen, the coordinating biologist for the Oak and Prairies Joint Venture, and Ken Gee, a conservation delivery specialist. Together, they work with landowners to implement wildlife habitat management, focusing primarily on upland and grassland birds in southern and northern Oklahoma and central Texas.

In this episode, we feature Mr. Ken Gee, a conservation delivery specialist for the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture, who brings decades of experience working with landowners in Oklahoma and the Great Plains, offering his extensive knowledge in land and wildlife management. Before joining the American Bird Conservancy, Ken spent 31 years with the Noble Foundation, where he managed the Noble Foundation Wildlife Unit for 25 years and conducted various research projects, including a notable deer diet study in collaboration with Texas Tech University.

Join us on Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things as we talk turkey with Oklahoma State University's Dr. Coulter Chitwood! We're exploring turkey population dynamics, habitat management, and predator-prey relationships in Oklahoma and beyond. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Chitwood to discuss the ongoing research into declining turkey populations. We examine factors affecting turkey populations, including habitat changes, predator communities, and weather patterns. I also share insights into the unique situation in Oklahoma, where both eastern and Rio Grande subspecies are found.

Get to know the hosts of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things in this introductory episode! Join Oklahoma State University Extension Specialists John Weir, Laura Goodman, and Mark Turner as they discuss fire ecology, rangeland management, and wildlife across the southern Great Plains.