Podcast Summary: The Origins Foundation Podcast – Episode 620
Title: Marilyn Vetter || Marilyn’s P.A.T.H.
Date: January 27, 2026
Host: The Origins Foundation (Robbie)
Guest: Marilyn Vetter, CEO of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the work and philosophy of Marilyn Vetter, CEO of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. Marilyn shares her journey into conservation leadership, the critical role of hunting communities in habitat preservation, and innovative access-incentive programs like PATH (Public Access To Habitat). The conversation presents a candid, behind-the-scenes look at conservation, private landowner partnerships, and how rural American towns are revitalized by hunting and habitat access programs—all while showcasing the personal passions that drive Marilyn’s conservation ethic.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Marilyn’s Background and Path to Leadership

• Marilyn's unconventional path: She spent 20 years in the biopharmaceutical industry, primarily as a lobbyist, while dog training was her central hobby. Her deep involvement in the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association led her to Pheasants Forever’s board, and later, to becoming CEO.
  • “My career, most of my life, was in the biopharmaceutical space... As my hobby I was a German short hair pointer dog training trialing enthusiast... That was my hobby since, well, since high school when I met my husband and we got our first short hair.” (05:04)
• The unique, blind hiring process for the CEO role at PF/QF, which Marilyn describes as daunting but ultimately rewarding.
  • “It was a cruel process because it was 100% blinded to the nominating committee... I feel absolutely blessed that they had the faith in me.” (11:07)

Women, Dogs, & Upland Hunting

• The dog connection as a gateway for women:
  • “It has just absolutely blossomed in the community for particularly for women. The dog gets them here, the birds keep them, and the experience keeps them.” (09:33)

The Role of Private Landowners in Conservation

• Deep respect for private land stewards and the love of the land as central to effective conservation.
  • “This country’s commitment to the hunting heritage... is rooted in that. Our public lands are incredible... but what I think is going to be even stronger in the future is creating that mosaic where you have public and private lands.” (14:22)
• Need for incentive and liability protections to encourage landowners to open lands for public hunting.
  • “If we need to find ways to incentivize and reward those private landowners to open their lands to others, we have to. ...there’s a ton of work that’s put into it. There’s a lot of liability.” (15:21)
  • Montana’s block management cited as a working example (16:50).

PATH: Public Access to Habitat

• Origins: Inspired by Aberdeen, SD, business owners incentivizing local landowners for public access.
• Rapid growth: Over 133,000 acres opened through programs in South Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and more in just 2.5 years.
  • “The first year, our goal was... 10,000 acres... In a little over two years, almost 72,000 acres in [South Dakota]... Nebraska there’s 51,000 acres... 133,000 acres in a little over two years.” (20:24; 21:32)
• Process: 5-year contracts, biologist verification for habitat quality, average payout ~$25/acre.
• Expansion: Other states and even Canadian provinces are looking to replicate the model.
  • “Nebraska said, hey, what about us?... Oklahoma... North Dakota is going to be... So, you know, we would love to be able to say we could do it in 48 states.” (20:24)
• Economic impact on rural communities and businesses identified as a key secondary benefit.
  • “The hotel owner in Patagonia, [AZ], said that 40% of their sales came in during merns hunting season.” (27:15)

Broader Conservation & Economic Themes

• The value of hunting for community economic health, especially for small, rural towns.
• “You pull in, there's this giant stone arch that says, welcome, hunters. Those communities are the ones that are really the targets.” (28:14)
• The non-native status of pheasants acknowledged, but their role as a “catalyst for all of this biodiversity, all this habitat preservation” underlined.
  • “The reason why there's a Pheasants Forever is that it's almost like a catalyst for all of this biodiversity... And it came from an animal that doesn't live here.” (31:04)

Permanent vs. Temporary Protection & Habitat Work

• PF and QF as “intermediaries” in permanent habitat protection, but focus remains primarily on access and temporary conservation due to the high cost of land acquisition.
  • “We've done 232,000 of permanent protection acres since we started in 1983... but... it is so expensive.” (22:56)
• 2 million acres a year are supported through technical assistance programs with landowners (most not open to the public).
  • “We work with about 38,000 landowners a year to tackle over 2 million acres a year of their private land and their conservation dreams.” (40:26)
• Federal and State grant backing makes these services free for landowners (41:29).

Legislative & Policy Context

• Current landscape for conservation programs (CRP, EQIP, WRP) described as stable for the moment, with the recent Senate funding bill reinstating support.
  • “The funding bill... does include CRP. We're excited about that. It's a bridge. It's a one year... We're excited to see that back.” (42:30)
  • “Farm the best, conserve the rest, as we like to say.” (44:57)

Getting Involved

• Encouragement for listeners to join as Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever members, support state and federal habitat stamps, and get active with local chapters.
  • “The best way to get involved... become a member... get involved in a chapter and you’ll learn a ton... Those chapters are just the lifeblood of the organization.” (45:34)
  • “We have 165,000 members and about a half a million supporters and partners.” (45:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Marilyn Vetter on the Hiring Process:
  “It was a cruel process because it was 100% blinded to the nominating committee... And it was just phenomenal. And I feel absolutely blessed that they had the faith in me.” (11:07)

• On PATH’s Explosive Growth:
  “Every year we create a goal and we get twice as many applicants to want to be in it. So... we just keep blowing the doors off.” (20:24)

• Community Impact – Patagonia, AZ:
  “Hotel owner... said that 40% of their sales came in during merns hunting season.” (27:15)

• The Role of Non-Native Species in Conservation:
  “It almost... Pheasants are a catalyst for all of this biodiversity, all this habitat preservation, all of the stuff. And it came from an animal that doesn’t live here.” (31:04)

• Heritage and Tradition:
  “The sense of tradition, I think, in Bob White country is stronger than almost anything... to hear the whistle of a bobwhite is just incredible.” (35:15)

• On Big Conservation Numbers:
  “We work with about 38,000 landowners a year to tackle over 2 million acres a year of their private land and their conservation dreams.” (40:26)

Important Timestamps

• Marilyn’s Background & Entry Into PF/QF: 05:00 – 12:00
• Role of Private Landowners & Access: 14:22 – 16:17
• Incentive Programs & Liability Issues: 16:50 – 20:22
• PATH Program Deep Dive: 20:22 – 25:19
• Community Impact & Expansion: 25:19 – 29:49
• Non-Native Species as Conservation Anchors: 30:14 – 33:04
• Permanent vs. Temporary Habitat Models: 22:31 – 24:16, 39:26 – 41:26
• Working with 38,000 Landowners Annually: 40:26
• Conservation Policy & Program Updates: 42:13 – 44:57
• Getting Involved/Call to Action: 45:12 – 47:25

Tone & Style

• The conversation is celebratory, authentic, and occasionally playful, with a mutual appreciation for hunting culture, dogs, and rural tradition.
• Emphasis on partnership, gratitude, and community empowerment.
• Marilyn is passionate, practical, and forward-thinking; the host is genuinely curious, supportive, and draws out stories with warmth and humor.

How to Get Involved

• Join: pheasantsforever.org | quailforever.org
• Follow: PF/QF on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Local Chapters: Find one of 790 chapters across the U.S.
• Support Conservation: Buy state/federal stamps, volunteer on habitat projects, share stories, and become advocates for local and national programs.

Closing Reflection

This episode is a heartfelt exploration of how a love for the outdoors and dogs can translate into national impact, economic revitalization for rural America, and a new model for conservation partnerships. Marilyn Vetter exemplifies the energy, vision, and grounded leadership driving habitat conservation into the future.