{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsoil-health-labs.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2F38-grassel-2of2-fjM3MZMR","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"38 Biologist-Rancher Promotes Ranch Health with Prairie Dog Ecosystem","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/0196ad3a-1913-4836-9557-07ae3f508062/63359003-2f03-4d71-a97f-b2f548bb0654/38grassel-2of2.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"","height":200,"description":"Dr. Shaun Grassel is a wildlife biologist who works out on the Lower Brule Indian Reservation’s headquarters for the tribe’s Department of Wildlife, Fish and Recreation.  In addition, Shaun has recently taken a more active role in managing his family land in Lower Brule.\n\nIn this episode, we discuss Dr. Grassel’s work with prairie dogs and the re-introduction of the black footed ferret, the natural predator of the prairie dog.  There is a wide range of attitudes toward prairie dogs amongst ranchers and how they deal with them, and Dr. Grassel discusses this in the podcast.  There is a very interesting part where he discusses the dynamic nature of prairie dog's interactions with their predators, black footed ferrets and their interactions with livestock. \n\nWe are posting this as a special feature because we think this discussion, especially looking at re-introducing black footed ferrets into P-dog towns may be of interest to west river ranchers. \n\nDr. Grassel can be reached at the Lower Brule Department of Wildlife, Fish and Recreation https://www.lowerbrulesiouxtribe.com/copy-of-enviromental-protection-office\n\nDr. Shaun Grassel’s Research Gate profile also provides one with an insight into his research interests https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shaun-Grassel\n\nAlso please visit the SD NRCS Range and Pasture website for more information at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/sd/technical/landuse/pasture/"}