Southern Region Conservation: Wetlands, Water Control & the Future of Duck Habitat (Ep 768)

Ducks Unlimited’s work in the Southern United States is complex, diverse, and more critical than ever.

In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher continues the regional conservation series with Jerry Holden, Senior Director of Operations for Ducks Unlimited’s Southern Region. Jerry oversees DU’s conservation delivery across the southern portions of the Mississippi, Central, and Atlantic Flyways, managing one of the organization’s largest and most diverse conservation portfolios.

The conversation spans from duck hunting conditions and flyway dynamics to large‑scale engineering, coastal resilience, private‑lands conservation, and some of the most significant land protection efforts in DU’s history.

In this episode, listeners will hear about:

• The 2025–26 waterfowl season across the Southern Region and why outcomes varied so widely
• “Spatial discontinuity” and how migratory birds create winners and losers each season
• The scope and purpose of DU’s Southern Region field offices across the Gulf Coast and MAV
• Why engineering is central to DU’s coastal resilience work in Texas, Louisiana, and the Atlantic Coast
• How Ducks Unlimited partners with NRC​S to implement Farm Bill conservation programs
• Clearing up misconceptions about DU’s work on private land
• The growing role of conservation easements and permanent land protection
• A historic donated conservation easement in coastal South Carolina
• DU’s leadership role in restoring Arkansas’s greentree reservoir systems
• Balancing public expectations with long‑term forest and wetland sustainability
• Why DU continues expanding the public land base across the Southern landscape

This episode offers an inside look at how DU delivers conservation at scale—often in places where water, land use, and wildlife interests intersect most intensely—and why that work matters now more than ever.

SPONSORS:

Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks Unlimited
Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.