On this episode of the WHIN Podcast, we’re posted up in the Battleborn Duckers studio talking with two gritty, boots-in-the-mud volunteers—Glynn Franke and Tanner Bingham—about a project that’s as innovative as it is wild: building floating islands in Nevada’s desert marshes to give ducks a better shot at nesting. We dig into how this idea came to life, the science behind plant selection, predator battles (muskrats, of all things), and how a couple of non-biologists ended up growing native vegetation in a homemade marsh lab two hours from Vegas. It’s the kind of hands-on conservation work that reminds you why we do what we do—sweating through the off-season, hauling heavy gear through mudflats, and solving real habitat problems because the next generation of ducks, and duck hunters, depends on it. 

In this first-of-its-kind international episode of the WHIN Podcast, host Ron Stoker and Dr. Jason Wasden bring together two visionary land stewards—Chris Engler from Australia and Alejandro Carrillo from Mexico—for a groundbreaking conversation on using donkeys as tools for ecological regeneration. From the outback of Western Australia to the rugged mountains of Chihuahua, these pioneers share how wild and domestic donkeys are transforming arid landscapes into thriving habitats.

With deep dives into predator-prey dynamics, biodiversity restoration, fire management, and the politics of conservation, this episode challenges conventional thinking on what it means to manage land. Whether you're curious about regenerative agriculture, concerned about water scarcity, or just want to hear how two men turned feral animals into climate-resilient allies, this is the episode that will change how you look at hoofed animals forever.

 This week on the WHIN Podcast, we’re talking boots-on-the-ground wildlife management with Doug Nielsen and Joe Bennett from NDOW—two guys who’ve spent decades in the dirt making sure Nevada’s big game herds stay wild and healthy. We dig into everything from how tag quotas are really set, to what goes into moving 150 bighorn sheep across the state, to the brutal realities of drought, predation, and habitat loss. Joe breaks down the data, Doug lays out the history, and we talk about what hunters can actually do to make an impact beyond just buying a tag. If you’ve ever filled a freezer, volunteered for a guzzler, or just wanted to understand the sausage-making behind your draw odds—this one’s for you. 

Brought to you by the Wildlife and Habitat Improvement of Nevada (WHIN), this podcast dives deep into the wild heart of the Silver State. From guzzler builds in the desert to youth duck hunts, mule deer collaring, and predator management, we bring you the real stories behind Nevada’s conservation movement.

Each episode features boots-on-the-ground insights from volunteers, biologists, hunters, and community leaders—plus updates on how your support is turning every donated dollar into triple-matched action through the Pittman-Robertson Act. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman, a curious conservationist, or just love public lands, this is your backstage pass to the work that keeps Nevada wild.