As it turns out, farm kitties are a gateway into a wildlife behavior and conservation career.

The Crane Trust wildlife biologist Bethany Ostrom and FWS biologist Mallory Jaymes were both born and raised in Nebraska and work within the Central Flyway. Each spring and fall migratory season, they perform “crane counts” to record when the birds arrive, how long they stay, where they travel, and what they do while they’re here. But counting these cranes is not easy. Mentally multiplying polygons while sweeping back and forth across the river from a plane is a strenuous exercise.

In this episode, Mallory and Bethany share insight on why it’s important to remain gracious hosts for the birds and how to protect pockets of wild places amongst a flyway of agriculture. They also share stories of growing up in Nebraska, their pathways to conservation, and whooper decoys.