Got Nature? Blog

From Lake Michigan to the Ohio River, fire once influenced large portions of Indiana. But when we get into the details, we find that certain ecosystems are much more reliant on fire than others. In this article, we’ll move north to south through some of Indiana’s fire-adapted ecosystems, highlighting properties where the effects of fire can be seen today.

Dunes
Hugging the shores of Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes are among the most distinctive and fascinating natural features in Indiana. On these sandy hilltops, jack pines and prickly pear cactus grow side by side, along with many of Indiana’s rarest plant species. The Dunes area is home to swales, prairies, and savannas that have burned regularly for millennia.

Although fire is used for many ecological reasons in the region, one noteworthy goal of burning in the Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park is to create habitat for the federally endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. This butterfly’s caterpillars feed exclusively on sundial lupine, which thrives in openings on sandy soil. Fire is an important tool for keeping the habitat open enough for lupine and therefore suitable for this imperiled butterfly. By managing for this species, many other fire-adapted plants also benefit.

Prairies
Prior to European settlement, prairie covered around 15% of Indiana, mostly across northern Indiana in a region called the “Prairie Peninsula”. This sizable land area, covered in tall grass and wildflowers, was largely maintained by fires set by Native Americans, along with bison grazing. Fire knocks back woody plants that threaten to shade out the herbaceous plants and create a fertile seedbed for new growth. Prairie grasses and wildflowers are well-adapted to fire, with deep roots the fire can’t touch.

In Indiana, prairie is closely intertwined with wetlands and savannas, and even small changes in elevation and soil type can influence the plant community. One example is fens like the one in Prophetstown State Park, which are groundwater-fed wetlands that often share many species with prairies. In dry years, fens and other wetlands likely burned as well.

While most of Indiana’s prairies were plowed for farmland, some survived, including a complex of remnant and restored prairie and wetlands at The Nature Conservancy’s Kankakee Sands Nature Preserve. Fire is regularly used on the property to restore and maintain these habitats. The best part? In addition to observing the effects of fire on the landscape, visitors can see a herd of bison like those that once roamed Indiana. This property offers a glimpse of what northwest Indiana looked like centuries ago.

Savannas
On sandy rises among the prairies and wetlands, savannas dominate. These ecosystems are home to sprawling, widely spaced oaks among lush understories of grasses and wildflowers. They are the transition between prairie and woodland, with characteristics of both. And they only continue to exist because of fire. Fire maintains their open structure, allowing enough light to the understory for the herbaceous layer to grow. Without fire, shrubs and young trees would take over, and the savanna would become a shady forest.

Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area features many oak savannas. These have been regularly burned for decades and are home to a wide variety of rare plants. They are also beautiful – in fact, humans tend to prefer savannas to other habitat types.

Oak Woodlands
In the rolling hills of southern Indiana, oak woodlands were once the dominant ecosystem. An oak woodland is similar to a forest, with a few key differences. The main one is that there are generally fewer trees per acre, giving a woodland a spread-out structure with more light than a forest. This encourages a thick, diverse understory. Oak woodlands are also, as the name suggests, dominated by oaks rather than shade-loving trees like beeches and maples. Finally, they are typically dry, while beech-maple forests are wetter and contain lots of small depressions and seasonal ponds.

In Indiana, many of our oak woodlands have closed in due to lack of fire, losing this structure and therefore much of their plant diversity. This reduces habitat for the plants and animals that inhabit oak woodlands.

In some places, though, prescribed fire has re-established this oak woodland structure. One example is 10 O’ Clock Line Nature Preserve in Brown County State Park. This nature preserve – the largest in the state – has been restored using multiple large-scale prescribed fires. In contrast to other parts of the park, the resulting structure is open, with plants like little bluestem, beebalm, and woodland sunflower popping up from the seedbed. This immediate herbaceous response tells managers that this area was once more open, and the plants had just been waiting for the light to return to bloom once more. Given the chance, nearby tracts of state and national forest would likely respond in a similar fashion.

Glades and Barrens
Now we go all the way south to the glades and barrens of southern Indiana. Glades and barrens, though subtly different in certain ways, are both natural openings in woodlands. They are home to many “prairie” species like prairie dock, pale purple coneflower, and obedient plant. Glades and barrens occur where the soil is too poor to support large trees, often because the bedrock is very near or at the surface of the soil. These pockets of grasses and wildflowers provide many resources for wildlife, especially pollinators that feed on the broad assortment of flowers.

One of the main threats to these rare ecosystems is encroachment by eastern redcedar and other trees that can tolerate the poor soil. Without regular fire, these species crowd out the grasses and wildflowers. Luckily for managers of properties like the Nature Conservancy’s Harrison County Glades, these trees are not very fire-resistant, so prescribed burns can be used to restore and maintain these special places.

Appreciating the Smoke
That concludes our fiery tour of Indiana. Next time you’re near one of these properties and see smoke, take a moment to appreciate fire in its natural places, keeping Indiana’s ecosystems healthy for future generations to enjoy.

Want to learn more about prescribed fire?
This article is part of our Burning for Benefits series exploring how fire shapes Indiana’s landscapes, supports wildlife and helps maintain healthy ecosystems. Read Burning for Benefits: Why Fire Belongs in Indiana to discover why prescribed fire is an important tool for conservation and land management.

Resources:
Indiana Prescribed Fire Council (INPFC)
Prescribed Burn Association
Lighting a Spark: Prescribed Burn Associations, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Effective Firebreaks for Safe Use of Prescribed Fire, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Prescribed fire: 6 things to consider before you ignite, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Getting Certified as an Indiana Certified Prescribed Burn Manager, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
FNR Ask The Expert: Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment: Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Late Growing Season Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Backing Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Flanking Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Strip Head Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Point Source Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Ring Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Explore the Rich World of Oaks, Purdue Extension – FNR
Subscribe – Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel

Danielle Howard, Extension Prescribed Fire Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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MyDNR, Indiana’s Outdoor Newsletter: If it’s been a while since you’ve been in the woods, this fall is the perfect time to pick your bow back up or start bow hunting for the very first time.

• Fall turkey archery season: Oct. 1 – Nov. 1, 2026 / Dec. 5, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027
• Deer archery season: Oct. 1, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027

If you’re gearing up for firearms season, fall turkey firearms season opens Oct. 21, and deer firearms season begins Nov. 14.

• Fall turkey firearms season: Oct. 21 – Nov. 1, 2026 (select counties)
• Deer firearms season: Nov. 14 – 29, 2026

The bag limit each fall is one turkey of either sex per hunter. Deer season bag limits can be found in the current Hunting & Trapping Guide. You can easily check in all harvested game with the CheckIN Game button on GoOutdoorsIN.com or the mobile app.

Hunting Safety Tips and Reminders
Indiana DNR reminds you to stay safe this deer season. Hunting injuries most commonly involve elevated platforms and tree stands, so stay safe by following the guidelines below.

Tree stand safety before the hunt:

• Read, understand, and follow the tree stand manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check tree stands and equipment for wear, fatigue, rust, and cracks or loose nuts/bolts, paying particularly close attention to parts made of material other than metal.
• Practice at ground level with a responsible adult. If you need to sight in your equipment, find a shooting range near you.
• Learn how to properly wear your full-body safety harness.
• Make a hunt plan and share it with someone before your hunt.
• Wear your full-body safety harness.
• Use a tree stand safety rope.
• Make certain to attach your harness to the tree or tree stand safety rope before leaving the ground and check that it remains attached to the tree or tree stand safety rope until you return to the ground.
• Maintain three points of contact during ascent and descent.
• Wear boots with nonslip soles.
• Use a haul line to raise and lower firearms, bows, and other hunting gear.
• Make sure firearms are unloaded, action is open, and safety is on before attaching them to the haul line.

General reminders:

• Hunter Orange – know when to wear it and how much is needed on a ground blind
  • Hunter orange is required for all deer hunters during youth, firearms, and muzzleloader season. Hunter orange must be worn at all times during the hunt, including walking to and from the hunting location. Regardless of hunting equipment being used (archery, crossbow or firearm), if it is firearms season, you are required to wear hunter orange.
  • A ground blind must have at least 144 square inches of hunter orange material that is visible from any direction during any season in which a hunter is already required to wear hunter orange.
• Firearm Safety – Treat every firearm as if it is loaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot, and be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
• Print and complete a Landowner Permission Form if hunting on private land that isn’t your own.
• Remember to complete and attach a deer transportation tag immediately upon taking a deer. The tag should be attached to the deer during transportation and any time the deer is unattended.

Always bring emergency equipment with you on your hunt, such as a cellphone, flashlight, small first aid kit and extra water.

Read more about the guidelines and property rules here: Fish & Wildlife Properties.

Resources:
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Division of Fish and Wildlife, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Deer Reductions Zones, Division of Fish and Wildlife, IDNR
Ask an Expert: Wildlife Food Plots, video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Handling Harvested Game: Episode 1, Field Dressing, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Handling Harvested Game: Episode 2, Hanging & Skinning, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Handling Harvested Game: Episode 3, Deboning, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Handling Harvested Game: Episode 4, Cutting, Grinding & Packaging, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Deer Harvest Data Collection, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
How to Score Your White-tailed Deer, video, Purdue Extension
White-Tailed Deer Post Harvest Collection, video, The Education Store
Age Determination in White-tailed Deer, video, Purdue Extension
Handling Harvested Deer Ask an Expert? video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
How to Build a Plastic Mesh Deer Exclusion Fence, The Education Store
Bovine Tuberculosis in Wild White-tailed Deer, The Education Store
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners: Managing Deer Damage to Young Trees, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
New Deer Impact Toolbox, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension-FNR

Division of Fish and Wildlife, Indiana Department of Natural Resources

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Ecologically, Indiana is truly the Crossroads of America. From towering sand dunes and expansive prairies in the north, to rolling forests and verdant swamps in the south, this state is an intersection of ecosystems, with a rich diversity of native flora and fauna. And throughout the state’s history, this array of natural areas regularly experienced fire.

Human-Caused Fire in Indiana
Intentional fire was part of Indiana’s natural world for millennia as native people used it to steward the land. The land itself tells the story through burn scars and charcoal buried deep in sediment, and the tale is echoed by fire’s cultural importance. In the Myaamia lunar calendar, the transition from summer to fall is known as šaašaakayolia kiilhswa, Grass Burning Moon, followed by kiiyolia kiilhswa, Smokey Burning Moon. It is clear Indiana’s natural places are no strangers to fire.

How Human-Caused Fire Shaped Indiana
Over millennia of human stewardship, fire became an integral part of life for Indiana’s plants and animals, as evidenced by the strong and varied relationships they still have with it. Oaks with thick, protective bark and flammable leaves dominate the woodlands, while Jack pines thrive in the dunes, their cones opening to release their seed after experiencing intense heat. On the prairies and savannas, smoke exposure enhances germination in wildflowers like purple coneflower and savanna blazingstar. Bison and elk, attracted to the nutritious new grass that followed a burn, once roamed the grasslands and forests. These are only a few examples of the ways Indiana’s natural world was (and is) intertwined with fire.

Without fire, many ecosystems that define Indiana’s wild places wouldn’t exist at all. After all, what is a prairie without little bluestem, or an oak woodland without oaks?

Burning for Benefits: The Past and Today
Fire and the changes it caused provided many benefits for Native American stewards. Plants the fires encouraged were used for food and medicine, and hunting opportunities abounded as game animals sought out burned areas. Open landscapes made defense and movement easier. Native Americans needed a healthy, biodiverse natural world to thrive, and intentional fire was an important means of achieving that goal.

Today, healthy ecosystems are still key to the well-being of humans and wildlife alike, providing us with clean water, air, food, and more. And while fire suppression took hold for decades in the 20th century, land managers are beginning to bring this vital force back to Indiana. When fire is reintroduced thoughtfully to the landscape, it can provide many of the benefits it did for thousands of years, allowing Indiana’s natural places and its people to thrive.

In this series, Burning for Benefits, we will dig into the specific ways fire benefits everything from birds to blooms to human health. By looking at each individual impact, we build a picture of how fire belonged in Indiana and can belong here again.

Interested in learning more about fire in Indiana, joining a Prescribed Burn Association, or burning on your land? Check out the Indiana Prescribed Fire Council website or reach out to Danielle Howard, Extension Prescribed Fire Specialist, at dphoward@purdue.edu.

Resources:
Indiana Prescribed Fire Council (INPFC)
Prescribed Burn Association
Lighting a Spark: Prescribed Burn Associations, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Effective Firebreaks for Safe Use of Prescribed Fire, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Prescribed fire: 6 things to consider before you ignite, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Getting Certified as an Indiana Certified Prescribed Burn Manager, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
FNR Ask The Expert: Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment: Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Late Growing Season Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Backing Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Flanking Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Strip Head Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Point Source Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Ring Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Explore the Rich World of Oaks, Purdue Extension – FNR
Subscribe – Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel

Danielle Howard, Extension Prescribed Fire Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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Purdue Landscape Report: Is it too early (and too hot outside) to think about Christmas trees? Maybe, but many of the pests that attack them are active at this time of year. In this week’s IDNR Entomology review, Jared Spokowsky shared damage he observed on pine from white pine weevil and Zimmerman pine moth, which got me thinking about Christmas tree season.

One of my favorite winter traditions is selecting a Christmas tree to bring home and decorate. Whether you are a Christmas tree grower or simply have conifers in your landscape, there are several pests to keep an eye out for as summer comes to an end. Here is a brief review of a few pests that threaten our Christmas (tree) spirit.

Zimmerman pine moth (ZPM)

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Have you been hearing more annoying buzzing around your ears than normal? Maybe you’ve got an itch you just can’t seem to scratch. There’s a good explanation for that.

Indiana saw record amounts of rainfall in August, resulting in flooding across the state. These rain events and flooding, along with a warm start to September, have created the perfect storm of conditions for a large boom in mosquito populations. Although flooding itself may temporarily wash away some mosquito larvae, the standing water left behind as floodwaters recede can provide abundant new breeding habitat. Floodwater is one of several important mosquito breeding environments in Indiana, along with woodland pools, slow-moving streams, ditches, marshes and the edges of lakes.

Indiana is home to more than 50 species of mosquitoes, and different species use different types of water for reproduction. Some mosquitoes are associated with floodwater and other natural habitats, while others prefer smaller, humanmade containers. Following a period of heavy rain, water can collect in old tires, clogged gutters, rain barrels, birdbaths, catch basins, tree cavities and other objects around homes. It’s important to empty these water sources to reduce mosquito populations around the home.

The mosquito life cycle also helps explain why populations can appear to increase rapidly after a major rain event. Female mosquitoes can lay as many as 400 eggs after having a blood meal. Depending on the species and environmental conditions, eggs can hatch in less than three days. The larvae, commonly called “wrigglers,” take roughly 7-10 days to develop into pupae. After an additional 2-3 days, the next round of adult mosquitoes emerges. The water remaining after all of the August storms will produce many new generations of mosquitoes in a relatively short period of time. You may have already noticed an influx in these pesky insects!

The increase in mosquitoes is not just an outdoor annoyance. Several mosquito-borne viruses are concerns for Hoosiers, including West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, La Crosse fever, Eastern equine encephalitis and Western equine encephalitis. Wild birds can serve as reservoirs for some of these viruses. Mosquitoes feeding on infected birds may subsequently transmit viruses when they feed on other animals or people. The Indiana Board of Health monitors for vector borne diseases, and has identified mosquito pools that are positive for West Nile Virus across the state.

For Indiana residents dealing with the aftermath of heavy August rainfall, reducing standing water around homes is an important first step. Removing or disposing of objects that collect water, regularly changing water in birdbaths and unused wading pools, keeping rain gutters unclogged, draining stagnant pools and puddles, and covering stored water such as rain barrels and cisterns are all great preventative measures around your home. Eliminating these breeding sites interrupts the mosquito life cycle before adults emerge.

Homeowners can also reduce exposure to adult mosquitoes. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, particularly during periods of high mosquito activity, can greatly reduce the chance of mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are often most active around dawn and dusk, so limiting outdoor exposure during those periods or staying in screened areas can reduce the chance of being bitten. EPA-registered mosquito repellents can provide additional protection.

As Indiana moves beyond August, mosquito numbers may remain elevated wherever standing water persists. Removing that water, improving drainage and protecting against bites can help Hoosiers reduce mosquito populations and limit their potential impact on people and animals.

Resources:
Indiana Department of Health
Mosquitoes, Purdue Extension Entomology
Mosquitoes In and Around the Home, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Community-Wide Mosquito Management, Purdue Extension – Entomology
Mosquitoes, Ticks and Other Arthropods, CDC Yellow Book, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mosquitoes and ticks – little pests carry big risks – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Mosquitoes carrying Zika virus can be controlled and avoided – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Field Season Upon Us! Be Prepared – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Excess Rain and Pond Integrity – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Health & Wellness Lessons, The Nature of Teaching
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel

Tabatha (Tabby) Flinn, Senior Regional Educator
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Purdue Extension

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In the past few years, prescribed fire has caught on in Indiana. Government agencies and land trusts have increasingly used it as a tool to create wildlife habitat, manage for rare and endangered species, and promote ecosystem health. On these properties, fire has been reintroduced to landscapes it shaped for thousands of years.

However, while fire is being used to improve our public lands, 96% of Indiana is privately owned. If fire is truly going to spread, private landowners need to start burning as well. One means to that end is the formation of Prescribed Burn Associations.

Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs for short) are, at their most basic level, groups of people who burn together. By burning as a group, members of the PBA can share expertise, equipment, and labor to get more fire on the landscape. They can also pursue training and funding opportunities that may not be readily available to individuals. In Missouri, the formation of 18 PBAs has led to prescribed fire on more than 11,000 acres across the state in the past 10 years. The model for success is already out there.

Indiana is just getting into the PBA game. One PBA based in Daviess County already exists, and interest meetings for two more in Brown and Harrison are on the calendar for fall of 2026. More meetings are in the works across other parts of Indiana.

So, how does one get involved with a PBA? If you happen to be in one of the counties mentioned above, it’s as simple as contacting the leader or attending a meeting. Fire experience is not a requirement, only enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Members don’t have to be landowners either – many PBAs include professionals, students, and folks who are simply interested in learning new land management skills.

If there isn’t a PBA in your area, consider getting one started. Find a few other people who want to be involved, hold an interest meeting to share information and sign folks up, then elect a board. From there, the board guides the organization and helps create its rules, and the larger membership decides on a coverage area and name. Then, all that’s left to do is inventory available equipment and expertise, line up some burns, and start getting good fire on the ground.

Still not sure how to start? That’s where we can help. If you are interested in starting or joining a PBA, you can fill out this PBA Interest Form, and we will reach out to help you get started.

With the formation of PBAs across the state, fire can be more broadly used as a management tool, benefiting the natural world and humans alike. For more information on PBAs, including formation tips and upcoming meetings, visit the Prescribed Burn Associations website.

Resources:
Indiana Prescribed Fire Council (INPFC)
Effective Firebreaks for Safe Use of Prescribed Fire, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Prescribed fire: 6 things to consider before you ignite, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Getting Certified as an Indiana Certified Prescribed Burn Manager, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
FNR Ask The Expert: Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment: Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Late Growing Season Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Backing Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Flanking Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Strip Head Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Point Source Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Wild Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Ring Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel

Danielle Paige Howard, Extension Prescribed Fire Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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Jarred Brooke, Extension wildlife specialist, was honored with a Career Achievement Award at the Fire in Eastern Oak Forests Conference in June.

In addition to his extension work with wildlife, Brooke has been deeply involved in prescribed fire, serving as chair of the Indiana Prescribed Fire Council since 2018, working to implement prescribed fire policy in Indiana, and organizing more than 30 Learn-N-Burn and Prescribed Fire field days and workshops that provide landowners and professionals with practical experience in fire safety, timing, and ecological benefits. Jarred has also co-instructed the undergraduate FNR-333 Applied Fire Ecology course since 2019. He was instrumental in securing funding from the Sam Shine Foundation to hire Danielle Howard, the recently hired Extension prescribed fire specialist.

Brooke also was one of three main instructors and organizers of the Indiana Land Stewardship Leadership Academy, which graduated its first class this spring. He was honored in 2021 with the Early Career Award from the Purdue Cooperative Extension Specialists’ Association and PK-12 Council’s Staff Excellence Award for his work with youth audiences, expanding their interest in and preparation for careers in natural resource sciences.

“It’s an honor to have been given the Career Achievement Award from the Fire in Eastern Oak Forests Conference,” Brooke said. “Since I don’t have enough gray hair for a career achievement award, we’ll just call it an early-career award. I have enjoyed all the prescribed fire work I’ve been able to do through my Extension role at Purdue, but this award would not have been possible without all the partners I work with on fire. From leading Learn-N-Burns and serving on the Indiana Prescribed Fire Council board to working

on prescribed fire policy in the Hoosier state, it’s been a collaborative journey – and I’m looking forward to more in the future! Special thanks to Allen Pursell for presenting me with the award.”

At the awards presentation, Pursell, director of forest programs for the Sam Shine Foundation, Inc., said:

“Jarred served as president of the Indiana Prescribed Fire Council from its inception in 2016 through 2025, and remains active. Jarred was known for great ideas, energy, and leadership skills. One of the board members told me that Jarred really held the council together, especially during Covid, when it would have been easy for it to wither.

“As part of his accomplishments there:

• He spearheaded getting the Indiana Prescribed Fire Council incorporated as a non-profit entity.
• He was the key person shepherding the entire process that resulted in the new Indiana Prescribed Fire Law. Many people were involved in key roles, but Jarred made it come together.
• More recently, Jarred identified funds so that Purdue University could hire a Prescribed Fire Extension Specialist who will help to form and support Prescribed Burn Associations, Support the Certified Prescribed Burn Manager program, and Conduct prescribed fire outreach to local communities.
  

  FNR students conduct a prescribed burn at the Celery Bog for their FNR 33350 class in West Lafayette, Ind. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Purdue University photo/Joshua Clark)

• In addition to these, Jarred has conducted many “learn and burn” courses for students and citizens who are interested in prescribed fire. He is a leader among his peers and an untiring advocate for prescribed fire in Indiana.

“For these accomplishments and many others, we are pleased to present Jarred Brooke with this career award.”

The Eastern Oak Forests Conference achievement awards are meant to recognize any significant contributions ranging from science, management, education and outreach, or training. Awards for the conference began during the 2019 conference playing and have ranged from one to six awardees per conference. Awardees are nominated by conference steering committee members.

To view this article along with other news and stories posted on the Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources website view: Jarred Brooke Receives Early Career Award for Prescribed Fire Work.

Resources:
Nature of Teaching, Purdue Agriculture
Natural of Teaching YouTube Channel
College of Agriculture PK-12 Council Outreach and Engagement Awards, Purdue Agriculture
National Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP), Teaching Youth Valuable Skills
Learn How to Control Reed Canarygrass, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
FNR Ask The Expert: Prescribed Fire with Jarred Brooke and Mike Saunders, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
Brooke’s Prescribed Fire Videos Utilized in Global USFS Efforts, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Prescribed fire: 6 things to consider before you ignite, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – 4Forestry and Natural Resources
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Backing Fire, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube channel
Indiana Prescribed Fire Council (IPFC)
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel, find natural resources, forestry, wildlife, urban forestry and much more.

Wendy Mayer, FNR Communications Coordinator
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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Indiana’s weather can shift quickly, from calm spring and summer mornings to severe thunderstorms, damaging winds and flash floods by afternoon. These sudden changes make it essential for individuals, families and communities to stay informed and prepared.

INdiana PREPared and the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) have a wide range of resources and educational materials that can be used to help Extension professionals spread the word about preparing for and responding to severe spring and summer weather events.

Find a full collection of resources at these various webpages:

• Educator/Trainer Resources
• Spring and Summer Severe Weather Resources
• Tornado and Wind Damage Response and Recovery
• Flood Resources for Educators

Stock your Go-Bag!
We encourage everyone to be ready for severe weather events by preparing a Go-Bag of important supplies. Click the image on the right/below to access INPREP’s Go-Bag Checklist, and feel free to share with your local clients. Remember to take into account the needs of family members impacted by disabilities!

By incorporating these IN-PREPared materials into programs, outreach efforts and conversations with community members, we can make a meaningful difference in how our communities respond and recover. Together, we can ensure that Hoosiers have the knowledge, tools and confidence to face severe weather with greater safety and resilience.

Resources:
Purdue Extension: Empowering Indiana Through Innovation, Education and Community Impact, Purdue Extension
Avian Flu in Birds, IN-PREPared
Combine & Field Fires, IN-PREPared
Trees and Storms: Understanding Damage, Risk and Recovery – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Community Development, Purdue Extension
Contact Your County Extension Educator, Purdue Extension
An Introduction to Trees of Indiana, Purdue University Press
Native Trees of the Midwest, Purdue University Press
ID That Tree, Playlist, Subscribe to Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Finding help from a professional forester, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association
District Foresters for 10 plus acres, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Invasive Species Playlist, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
What are invasive species and why should I care?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store

Diana Evans, Extension & Web Communications Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Ed Sheldon, Farm/Veteran Job Coach and Engagement Coordinator
Department of Agriculture & Biological Engineering, Purdue University

Michael Wilcox, Assistant Director and Program Leader for Community Development
EDEN State Point-of-Contact

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Purdue University Landscape Report: Early fall is the time to begin preparing trees for the winter and get them off to a good start in the following spring. Preventative maintenance and some good cultural practices in autumn boost trees’ health and vigor during the winter and creates an encouraging growing environment in the spring. Here are 5 good tips for trees:

1. Scout for pruning issues.
   It’s advantageous to schedule pruning tasks after leaves have fallen. It’s much easier to see the branch structure of trees and deciduous shrubs in order to perform good selective cuts. Look for those non-beneficial plant parts and remove them. These include any dead, broken and crossing branches which can be removed. Also, search out and remove those epicormics sprouts in the canopy and basal sprouts emerging from around the trunk and root collar.  Refer to this pruning publication for more information.
   

   Newly-established trees benefit from fertilizer

2. Feeding for the future.
   Typically, tree roots have produce more root growth during the fall. Root systems are important as storage organs or banks to reserve energy for later. These stores of starch will become active energy on demand in the spring when shoot growth, leafing and flowering occur. Fertilization during this time will maintain soil nutrient levels and increase root production, promoting new growth in the spring. Newly, established trees and those younger trees are especially responsive to supplemental feeding. However, not all trees need or require fertilization. Refer to this publication on fertilization for more information.
   

   Mulch provides a blanket of protection

3. Complete cultural practices.
   It’s always beneficial to the tree to replenish mulch to give root systems an extra layer of protection against temperature extremes. This helps maintain the moisture levels in the soil during those drier winter months as well. Maintaining 2-3 inches of composted mulch over the root zone of the tree and landscape provides great protection. Also, it may be a good time to consider providing protective wraps on thin-barked or newly planted trees, if needed. Also, now is a good time for inspecting those existing wraps to be sure they are effective and not too tight around the trunk or harboring hidden pest issues.
   

   Good moisture levels going into the winter is critical for tree health

4. Water needed, still.
   The dry, cool air and low precipitation that can sometimes occur during fall and early winter can take a toll on trees. Provide supplemental irrigation with deep watering to prevent root damage and a good spring start. It is advisable to water only when temperatures will be above 40^o Water around mid-day so there is time to soak in before the freezing night temperatures. Applying approximately 5 gallons water per inch of tree diameter will be adequate for times when there is little to no rainfall going into winter.
5. Take inventory.
   This is a good time to assess your site for vacancies. Check your property for potential planting locations to install new trees next spring. Research during the winter allows plenty of time for good decision-making which includes proper species selection and suitable locations. Refer to the tree selection publication for more information.

There are many resources available to learn about proper tree care. If you are uncertain on how to maintain your trees or prefer professional services, it is important to reach out to an ISA Certified Arborist to help with the tree, within your landscape, especially the larger, mature trees. A Certified Arborist can proactively identify, analyze and evaluate your tree needs to maintain this important asset, your trees.

Resources:
Why Do Our Trees Go From Green Leaves to Different Colors?, Got Nature? Blog
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana
An Introduction to Trees of Indiana
The Nature of Teaching: Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Why Leaves Change Color, USDA Forest Service

Lindsey Purcell, Executive Director
Indiana Arborist Association

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