EP 727: The Million-Plus-Acre Plantation We Created: What's Next? (2/2)
Sep 24, 2026 · 1 hr 33 min · 23 segments
(Part 1/2) More than a million acres of marginal Delta cropland were retired and planted in bottomland hardwoods. Thirty years later, those trees have grown and--**if we want to ensure wildlife…
(Part 1/2) More than a million acres of marginal Delta cropland were retired and planted in bottomland hardwoods. Thirty years later, those trees have grown and--**if we want to ensure wildlife utilization and habitat quality--the next chapter is serious hardwood management**. Wildlife biologist Kevin Nelms explains how changing soils and hydrology shape the new landscape, how timber stand improvement improves wildlife habitat, timber stand improvement techniques, how putting sunlight back onto the ground benefits ducks, deer, songbirds and more. Most importantly, how do landowners, agencies and NGOs accomplish this without a viable hardwood pulp market? A must-listen episode for bottomland hardwood habitat managers and hunters, but everyone will appreciate gaining insights into taking the extraordinary conservation achievement of a million-acre hardwood plantation to the next level. *See related episodes and important resource links below!* **IMPORTANT RESOURCES** Habitat Improvements in Hardwood Plantations on Wetland Reserve easements: Landowner Guide (PDF) Tool for Assessment of Reforested Bottomland Hardwood Stands on Wetland Reserve Easements (PDF) Wetland Management for Waterfowl: A Handbook **RELATED EPISODES** EP 679. Looking Past the Trees in Ark-La-Miss Delta EP 691. A New Hardwood Plantation Landscape--Restored Benefits? EP 694. Duck Habitat Then and Now EP 696. Restored Hydrology in the Delta EP 483. Waterfowl Habitat Management: Rethinking "Seed Mentality" EP 485. Waterfowl Habitat Management: Emergent Marsh Wetlands Magic **isit the Legendary Brands That Make MOJO's Duck Season Somewhere Podcast Possible:** MOJO Outdoors Alberta Professional Outfitters Society Benelli Shotguns Bow and Arrow Outdoors Create the X Habitat Management App Ducks Unlimited Flash Back Decoys GetDucks.com Migra Ammunitions onX Maps *Use code* ***GetDucks25 to save 25%*** Sitka Gear SoundGear Use code GetDucks20 to save 25% Tom Beckbe USHuntList.com **Like what you heard? Let us know!** • **Tap Subscribe** so you never miss an episode. • **Drop a rating**—it's like a high-five in the duck blind. • **Leave a quick comment:** What hit home? What made you laugh? What hunt did it remind you of? • **Share this episode** with a buddy who lives for duck season. **Have or know a story to share? Interested in partnerships?** Contact: Ramsey Russell [ramsey@getducks.com](mailto:ramsey@getducks.com)
(Part 1/2) More than a million acres of marginal Delta cropland were retired and planted in bottomland hardwoods. Thirty years later, those trees have grown and--**if we want to ensure wildlife…
