Microscopic Marvels: Jaclyn Wilson

On this episode of Microscopic Marvels, University of Florida - Department of Agricultural Education and Communication graduate student Emma Poole talks with Jaclyn Wilson, a fifth-generation Nebraska native and cattle rancher, about conservation, the importance of advocacy and collaboration, and all the creatures you can’t see with just your eyes. The NSF PurSUiT grant research on nematodes is happening in part on Wilson Flying Diamond Ranch. Jaclyn gives insight on why research like this is so important to her.

Transcript

Emma

Hi everyone, welcome to our Streaming Science Microscopic Marvels series, where tiny organisms are a big deal. Streaming Science is a student-driven science outreach platform that introduces listeners to real-world scientists and professionals in the agriculture and natural resources fields. I'm your host, Emma, a graduate student specializing in agricultural and natural resources communication at the University of Florida. In this series, we're talking to scientists, ranchers, students, and storytellers about nematodes.

They're nearly invisible, microscopic worms that can tell us about our environment. In this episode, you will hear from Jaclyn Wilson. Jaclyn is a fifth-generation Nebraska native and equal partner with her father, Blaine, in Wilson Flying Diamond Ranch. She has been instrumental in a National Science Foundation grant project with Nebraska and Florida scientists, allowing the research to happen on her land. We discussed Jaclyn's knowledge of nematodes, her experiences in ranching and conservation, and the importance of projects like this one both to the scientific and agricultural communities. Let's learn more about our guests and the Microscopic Marvels around us, starting with how Jaclyn became involved with this project.

Jaclyn

We became involved with the grant project because we managed some property for National Geographic photographer Joel Satori, and he had reached out to us to ask if we would be interested in hosting some individuals from the University of Nebraska and the University of Florida out at the ranch. And we, of course, wholeheartedly agreed, because any more information that we can gather on our environment that we live in is definitely great information for us to utilize. Plus, at the same time, I mean, we understand the importance of allowing students and professors and people to come out and visit our operation to and to see how we're managing our property and how we're working with one in the environment. Because if we don't protect the environment, we can't ranch. And so it's a great collaboration to be involved with; an excellent project to be involved with.

Emma

I think that you just hit it that if we don't protect the environment, we can't ranch. I think that ranchers are in Florida and from what I can assume in Nebraska too are some of the biggest environmentalists and stewards of the land, so I am so glad that there are people like you and Melody, who we also got to talk to, who would consider themselves conservationists. And from there, I'm so curious: What are some of the land conservation strategies that you guys currently use or hope to use on your property?

Jaclyn

Well, I think the biggest conservation strategy that we have is to leave it better than we got it. And you know, when, since we've been in business now for 130-plus years, you know, it's important that the land and environment is the number one piece of the puzzle that we have to have in place in order for everything else to work. And if we don't understand things like how to utilize pasture, how erosion and Mother Nature affects the environment, how wildlife habitat, you know, can be developed and destroyed all very quickly, and understanding how all the species work together. But at the same time, how cattle can help better improve that environment, too. I mean it's all one big piece of a puzzle that you have to try to figure out. And fortunately, you know, I completely agree that ranchers are the original conservationists, and people don't understand that if we aren't working with that environment, we can't succeed as ranchers, and so it's very, very important that that's the foremost step that we have in our business plan. But at the same time, there's some of those things that we don't understand either, where people like the universities can come in and teach us stuff, like if somebody would’ve said “hey, we want to study nematodes in your lakes” a couple of years ago, I would have laughed, but now it's something that we wholeheartedly want to do and, you know, we promote research projects like that because it allows us to gather that information, too, and apply it to what we're trying to do to continue to better that environment.

Emma

Speaking of the nematodes, you know I'm going to bring it up...What did you know about nematodes or think about nematodes going into all this?

Jaclyn

Not a dang thing. Not at all. I actually had to look at it first—and I'm going to preach my ignorance here, but I actually had to look to see what a nematode was because I'm like, “I recognize that word, but I'm not really for sure how that affects us, and if that's something we even have,” and then...here we have a research project that happens, and it was absolutely amazing for us to gather that information and be educated on that fact, too, because there's a whole other series of species out there that we didn't know existed and we didn't know how they played into that ecosystem. And now, it just kind of opened our eyes to fully understanding that, and that's something that we couldn't have done without that partnership. I mean, we would have just continued ranching and not realized that the lakes are blossoming full of nematodes and other species that we would have never even considered. So super cool, you know, I mean it's neat for us to be educated, but at the same time, you know, it's neat          I think it was a win win for all people involved.

Emma

It makes you think about what else is there that you don't even know about. You feel like you know the land so well, and then you find out, “oh, there's like an entire colony of microscopic worms that are doing whatever it is they're doing,” and you have no clue.

Jaclyn

No, you're spot on. And I mean, and then to have people, you know, they were out a couple different times. So, the first time after they gathered samples and then to come back and share that information with us of some of the things that they found that were also very, very unique, not only in our environment, but around the world, and then, you know, I had the opportunity to tour down at the lab at the University of Nebraska and see firsthand some of the research and data that they're gathering there, not only from operations like ours, but other operations throughout and so yeah, you don't realize how many ecosystems are out there and those little tiny pieces that can completely affect one thing or the other, and can waterfall if they're not, you know, if that if that species is affected.

And yeah, super cool. Emma

I think about some of the keystone species here in Florida, you know, things like insects, that you would not think play that much of a role in the environment, but they can be an indicator if something else is wrong and you would have no idea. But they do because it's their niche. I think that it's so interesting, to hear about the species and the ecosystems that you guys have that are so unique. Because ours are so different, but there's really a lot that's kind of the same too. So I'm also so interested to ask, what are some of the things that you do know about the environment in the sandhills area? Like, if you were trying to sell that the sandhills are the most important piece of land to conserve, what would you say?

Jaclyn

Well I think that you just hit the you just hit the nail on the head. Even talking about the insect population, because I think that was something, you know, we know we have a thriving wildlife population and a thriving bird population. I mean, we're right on the migratory byways, so we can—those things that you can see you understand and appreciate. But sometimes it's those things that you can't see, and I classify insects as one of those. So, you know, we knew we knew we had bugs. I mean, we knew that, but until a couple of years ago when National Geographic sent their photo arc project out and they were only out for three days, I mean that was it. And within those three days, they collected 140-something different species of insects on the ranch, I mean, and so all of a sudden you start to realize how big of an ecosystem that you have and how unique it is. And I think that's what the sandhills, you know, encompasses a large portion of Nebraska and the only ecosystem that's similar to it is one in Mongolia. And so, you know, we strive to protect that. And understand, I think some of the challenges of working with such a fragile ecosystem, but I don't think we realized how important some of those things that we can't see, you know like the large amount of insects or nematodes and the effects that they have on that ecosystem play that part too. So I mean, you know it all comes together and I think that's any ecosystem, you know, in the world, whether it's in Florida or Nebraska or anywhere else, you know, there's those pieces that all have to fit together. And if one of those pieces are unbalanced, then the rest of the ecosystem starts to collapse.

Emma

For sure. We talked to one of my classes last semester about something that I thought was so interesting, which is this concept of wildlife empathy, that the things that you can see, and namely the things that people might think are cute, they're more likely to want to protect. And I feel like in Florida and probably with you guys too, there are certain creatures that are visible to the eye that have become such cultural symbols, like for instance with us, alligators, manatees, or roseate spoonbills, but you know the things that maybe people

think aren't as cute—like an alligator snapping turtle—or some other of our some other of our that threatened and endangered species are cute, like the key deer, but some of them aren't. Some of them are those little ocean creatures—which we have a ton of—that are threatened down here that people can't see, and people don't find to be adorable, so they don't really care about. You know, you see a picture of a bobcat or a picture of you know, a panther, you know, something that people will look at on social media and be like “aww, this thing would bite me? It looks like it could be my friend!” and they'll want to protect that animal, but they won't care as much about the things that they can't see. And it's kind of like this out of sight, out of mind type of thing. But I think that I down here see a lot of hesitancy to protect certain species because of that. Do you think there's hesitancy to protect and conserve wildlife in Nebraska, and if so, why do you think?

Jaclyn

No, I don't think there is and the reason being is that number one, I think that we have a really unique relationship because we are so rural and you know we don't have a lot of outside influences in terms of population coming in from other states. The majority of people in Nebraska are multi-generational and so I think that there is a pretty strong connection with the land and we don't have a lot of those contentious issues. I mean, our biggest contentious issue is mountain lions, you know, and a hunting season for mountain lions. But we don't suffer some of those issues like Colorado has, like with their wolf populations and their reintroduction of wolves into the wild and the dramas that ensue with that, you know, and so I think we have that understanding, you know, and if it comes forward that there are multiple rounds of endangered species or something, you know, I can't even think off the top of my head of endangered species that I can think of, you know, that are in our area because there's such an abundance of overall species , so I don't, you know, I don't foresee that as an issue right now. Will it happen in the future? I'm sure it will because, you know, migratory patterns continue to change. You know, wildlife patterns continue to change. We're starting to see more and more wildlife coming in from Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota, whether it be like elk, mountain lions, we are starting to see, we are starting to hear some cases and maybe a wolf or two that are coming in. And I think as we see more of those animals coming to the communities, then we'll probably start to have more and more of an interest in maybe what needs to be done in order to manage those animals efficiently, but at the same time protect humans.

Emma

So do you think that that kind of eager spirit and attitude from the multigenerational families like yourself toward conservation do you think that that has helped the sand hills to stay pristine and beautiful, and the environment that they are today?

Jaclyn

Oh, absolutely. I think that's the number one thing that's allowed him to stay that way is. Because, you know, when the Sandhills was developed, like when the homesteads were developed in the Sandhills, mostly a lot of those ranches, you know, were started in the 1880s. And so those pioneers went through those things like the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, you know, those times where Mother Nature was just a real beast, and so they understand, I think, their connection to the land. And also how to how to make the land benefit them not only economically but you know, kind of as a as a lifesaver for future generations. And so I think there's a really strong connection to the land and then also, you know, I see that a lot with ranchers. We depend on native grasslands to graze our cattle, you know, where a majority of the sand hills is not cropped. It's native pasture. And I think that also has a really unique relationship too. And so it's those combinations of really understanding that native grasslands, you know, how it works along with the cattle, but then also with the wildlife and to really utilize that not only economically, but you know, to preserve it too, for not only the ranches but for future generations.

Emma

You do not have any idea how happy it makes me to hear that I'm seventh-generation Floridian. We have been here since the 1830s that we can track back, possibly before that, we're not sure, but just even in my lifetime, seeing the lack of care toward conservation toward wildlife, and the lack of respect toward Florida's ranches, and I think it's absolutely heartbreaking and devastating. And so I am just so glad to hear that people like you guys are going to help to preserve that, so that things that are happening here won't happen there—that really heartens me so much. And even though it doesn't help necessarily, you know, my home, my land, it can serve as such a good example, and I feel like that is honestly another one of the most valuable things that this kind of collaboration does. Do you feel like maybe that collaborating with researchers in universities and things like that are maybe indirectly or possibly even directly encouraging the public to care about conservation more.

Jaclyn

Absolutely. And I and I think the reason being is because it's the amazement of those that come out to the operations. And what I mean by that is it's not only it's not only those collaborations like with the universities or whatnot, but it goes beyond. On that, it goes to those people that may have never set foot on an operation before and have the opportunity for whatever reason, you know whether they're doing maybe a farm state program or they're hosting a meeting or something out of those operations and they can see firsthand

that connection with the land. And I think I think that's one of the problems that we've had over the last 20 to 40 years is you know, we've developed this mindset that all of those involved in agriculture are factory farming, you know, and their cattle are in confinement and they're not in wide open spaces. And I see this a lot, especially when I travel internationally. But this is what people's conception is, of what we're doing to the land and environment. And so, you know, having those opportunities to share our little piece of heaven with people too and, you know to participate in some of these collaborations has not only opened others eyes for what great things that we're doing now to conserve the environment and they understand the importance of the things that we're doing, but at the same time it's providing us those educational opportunities to you know, to better ourselves. And so that way we can share that same information with some of our peer groups too, and make them aware of how of how these collaborations can benefit all of us as a whole. So I mean, there's, there's not a lose, there's not a loser in these situations at all. I think everyone can gain a little bit of insight and a little bit of knowledge and at the same time it really kind of brings us all together and then we start realizing that maybe we are working on a common goal and that's not only to protect, you know, the things that are important to us, but maybe just our environment conservation and everything as a whole, and we're all a piece of the puzzle in that.

Emma

For sure, I think it is so interesting that you mentioned everyone working toward a common goal, because I feel kind of like you feel, you know, people don't realize that and it's a matter of just getting the word out there and letting people know that the misconceptions that you see and that I see and that everyone involved in agriculture see is really are so far from the truth that they probably couldn't be farther from the truth. And I know based on doing a little bit of research on you beforehand that you have been quite the voice for agriculture across the United States and internationally as well. So, based on all of your experience and your expertise, what is one thing that you would say to encourage ranchers to form those connections with the public to combat those misconceptions? If you could say one thing to them to encourage them in that, based on your experience, what would that be?

Jaclyn

Yeah, I think the one thing I would say to encourage ranchers is to just be open minded, you know, to look at the big picture. I think we struggle sometimes, we're becoming a little tunnel visioned and kind of in our own little world and we need to realize that there's a whole other conception out there that we might not understand about people's thoughts of what we're doing or how we're interacting, and unfortunately, a large percentage of those

are the ones that make the rules and regulations that govern not only not only our industry, but other industries too, and so the more information that we can share and the more about the practices and stuff that we're doing on our operation, it benefits not only our industry but bridges those gaps between you know, us and consumers, but just people in general. And I think that does nothing but benefit us as a whole.

Emma

For sure, and I feel like the grant project that we're talking about is the perfect case study of bridging that gap. And you know, maybe reaching another audience that you were able to learn something about nematodes and the researchers were able to use your property to learn about that. And now indirectly, all of us students in the class multiple states away are able to learn about all of this too, so keep doing what you're doing. You're literally such a bright light, and it's so encouraging that people out there care about this, because I wish there were people everywhere that did. I really, really do. So thank you so much. I was so glad to get to talk to you about all of that. And I just want to end asking is there anything else that you would like to add?

Jaclyn

Well, and I think you hit it on the head, you know we appreciate the fact that that that we're part of this collaboration too, you know, I mean it benefits everyone as a whole. So we're looking forward to future collaborations whatever those may look like because I mean, like I said, it benefits it benefits everyone. So you know, the more that we can share to students and to professors and people that are involved in research projects, you know, like I said, it benefits us all. So we're excited to be part of it and we were excited to have you guys out there, and we can't wait to host you again.

Emma

I love that you said “whatever that looks like,” because who would have thought that it would look like nematodes in the lakes?

Jaclyn

Truth on that. (Laughter) Emma

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Microscopic Marvels. I'm your host, Emma, and I hope you learned about conservation, ranching and the importance of collaborating and scientific research from our amazing guest Jaclyn. For more information or to listen to

other episodes in this series, visit streamingscience.com. Funding for this series and the nematode research discussed in the episodes comes from a National Science Foundation poorly sampled and unknown taxa grant awarded to researchers at the universities of Nebraska and Florida.