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From Brothers in Arms to Brothers in Conservation: A Veteran’s Mission to Restore the Land
In Pawnee, Oklahoma, one landowner needed a plan and assistance to manage and transform his 400 acres, which included three ponds and acres packed with Eastern Red Cedars, into usable land for cattle and wildlife.
Meet Brian Heishman, a retired, disabled Marine Corps Veteran who set out to find a greater purpose after a 20+ year career of service by managing the land with his wife, Melinda (Mindy). After five years as Infantry, 16 years in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), and 10 years contracting for the US Government in Iraq, Brian was looking for ways to stay active, and bringing the land back to its original state perfectly met that goal.
“Finding a greater purpose that is satisfying is a struggle for many who leave the brotherhood, but I’ve found mine in managing this land,” said Brian.
Brian and Mindy are in their fifth year of owning the land, which has quickly transformed from a cedar-filled landscape into an ecosystem full of native grasses and improved water quantity. Brian first met with Pawnee County Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and US Air Force Veteran, Duel Brown, who provided clear advice on methods to manage the land. Brian was unsure of his ability to clear the cedars himself, having never performed the type of work before. After finishing an initial clearing of 500ft to create a fire break for a prescribed burn, however, he gained the confidence to sign a contract with NRCS, with the help of Cole Fagen at the American Bird Conservancy, and hasn’t looked back. Since signing his first contract with NRCS in 2022, Brian has gained a new purpose in life, clearing Eastern Red Cedars and restoring native grasses.
Brian expanded his operations by installing cross fencing and implementing grazing management practices under additional NRCS EQIP contracts, with the help of two other former Marines and NRCS employees, Blake Crispin and Shaun Hull. He purchased equipment through a loan from the Farm Service Agency, which has helped him expedite the cedar-clearing process. With help from other partners, he restored the dam for the property’s largest pond, providing fresh water for the herd of cattle that graze the area. With the help of Kyle Johnson at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Brian stocked his ponds with a variety of fish to improve their ecological health. Brian attributes the Pawnee County Prescribed Burn Association with helping him navigate the intricacies of prescribed burns and providing advice on best practices.
“Working with NRCS has been very easy and beneficial. My advice to others would be to get good equipment and keep at it. Conservation is possible if you just keep going. Once you see progress, it becomes addicting and you want to keep making progress!” Brian told us.
A wildfire that swept through the land in 2025 expedited Brian’s goal of clearing the land of cedars. Though the fire also burned other trees, such as Oaks and Black Walnuts, it helped clear a majority of the cedars on the eastern side of the property. Brian is actively clearing the skeletons from this fire and is beginning to see grasses growing back, along with his ponds filling more quickly and streams appearing as water levels rise due to the lack of cedars.
“The differences between how the land looked in 2022 and now are very clear. Seeing the native grasses repopulating the land is very promising and sends a clear message that Brian’s hard work is paying off,” said Duel Brown, NRCS. “I’m grateful for Brian and Mindy and their dedication to preserving the land.”
As Brian continues clearing cedar trees from his land, his goal remains simple: to maintain the work he has done to prevent them from taking over the land again. Eventually, Brian and Mindy will build a home and savor the benefits of their hard work restoring the land. Brian hopes to use his story to encourage others to take a chance on starting a conservation practice and to use the available partners for assistance. From brothers in arms to brothers in conservation, the partnership between Brian and NRCS is proof that when we work together, we can enhance and protect the land we live, work, and play on.
