MIDDLEBURY, Conn. – February 13, 2025 – The Connecting with Conservation Podcast hosts, Dr. Jon Gassett of Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), and Jim Curcuruto of Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) welcome guests Karen Waldrop, Chief Conservation Officer at Ducks Unlimited and Chuck Sykes, Director of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on newly released episodes of the Connecting With Conservation Podcast.

Season 2, Episode 1: Karen Waldrop (Ducks Unlimited): Karen informs the audience on the importance of wetland conservation for waterfowl, how such wetland habitat gets funded, and the current conservation work that DU is conducting. Karen also tells us about the Wings Over Water IMAX film and how chasing ducks in alligator territory adds a new level of excitement to hunting.

Season 2, Episode 2: Chuck Sykes (AL DCNR): Jim, Jon and Chuck discuss everything from habitat for endangered red hill salamanders to the impact of fishing tournaments on fish populations. The group also discusses why keeping wildlife as pets (i.e. Peanut the Squirrel) is not a good idea.

The Connecting with Conservation Podcast was created to allow a broad mix of guests from wildlife agencies, industry manufacturers and non-government organizations to share their stories about how they and their organizations support outdoor recreation and conservation. The conversational format, informative guests and compact episodes make it a great addition to any podcast rotation.

New episodes of The Connecting with Conservation Podcast will be posted weekly. Tune in on YouTubeand PodBean.

To become a guest on an upcoming episode of The Connecting with Conservation Podcast, reach out to Dr. Jon Gassett or Jim Curcuruto.

About OSCF

Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works with all facets of the outdoor industry to improve cultural acceptance of gun ownership, hunting, fishing, trapping and target shooting. We use research-based communications and engagement programs that help recruit the next generation of HATS (Hunters, Anglers, Trappers and Shooters) and promote the positive contributions HATS make to society. To learn more about OSCF programs; “Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag,” “Come With!”, “Connecting with Conservation,” “Donate A Deer” and the “Outdoor Industry Communication Council,” please visit www.OutdoorStewards.org, follow @OutdoorStewards on Instagram or contact Jim Curcuruto at (203) 450-7202, jim@stewardsofconservation.org. Keep up with the latest from OSCF on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

About WMI

Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) was stablished in 1911 by sportsmen/businessmen gravely concerned about the dramatic declines of many wildlife populations. Its founders saw a need for a small, independent and aggressive cadre of people dedicated to restoring and ensuring the well-being of wild populations and their habitats. Learn more here or contact Dr. Jon Gassett (502) 330-9025 jgassett@wildlifemgt.org.

The Connecting with Conservation podcast is funded by a multi-state Conservation Grant (F24AP00224), which is jointly administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Conservation Investment and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.