Seeing Beyond the Duck: Conservation at Scale in the Great Lakes & Atlantic Region (Ep 773)

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The Great Lakes and Atlantic Region may be Ducks Unlimited’s largest and most diverse — and it’s where conservation relevance is helping drive growth in habitat delivery.

In this episode, DU podcast host and Senior Waterfowl Scientist, Dr. Mike Brasher, continues our trip around the regions with Jamie Rader, Ducks Unlimited's Director of Operations for the Great Lakes & Atlantic Region. Spanning 21 states from Maine to Minnesota, Jamie oversees one of DU’s fastest‑growing conservation teams and shares what it takes to deliver wetland conservation at scale in landscapes shaped by people, agriculture, and development.

Jamie reflects on his path from West Tennessee duck hunts to graduate work in Hawaii, mentorship under legendary waterfowlers, and leadership across nearly every DU region before taking the helm in Ann Arbor. From there, the discussion turns to breeding conditions, migration, and the innovative partnerships driving record conservation growth across the region.

In this episode, listeners will hear about:

• Jamie Rader’s career path through Ducks Unlimited and field biology
• Mentorship, duck hunting culture, and lessons learned in the blind
• The scope of the Great Lakes & Atlantic Region (“the five M’s”)
• Explosive growth in staff, funding, and conservation delivery since 2020
• Spring breeding conditions across the Great Lakes, Midwest, and Northeast
• Flooding, snowfall, and late‑season wetland replenishment
• Major conservation programs including H2Ohio and Chesapeake Bay initiatives
• Water quality funding as a pathway to waterfowl habitat gains
• Working lands conservation with farmers and producers
• Soil health, wetland restoration, and nutrient reduction strategies
• Expanding DU’s relevance beyond traditional waterfowl audiences
• “Seeing beyond the duck” in coastal, urban, and population‑dense regions
• Why relevance, partnerships, and innovation are essential to future success

This episode highlights how Ducks Unlimited continues to adapt — delivering habitat for waterfowl while meeting the broader environmental needs of people and communities across the Great Lakes & Atlantic Region.

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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.

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