Got Nature? Blog

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is offering several upcoming opportunities related to prescribed and wildland fire training. Many of these opportunities are required to become an Indiana Certified Prescribed Burn Manager.

All the upcoming training opportunities and course prerequisites are posted on the Indiana DNR Fire Headquarters Training page.

Trainings Required for Indiana CPBM
S-130 Field Day
Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Location: Forestry Training Center
Martinsville, IN 46151

Rx Fire for Managers
Date: Tues-Wed, December 17-18, 2026
Location: Forestry Training Center
Martinsville, IN 46151

Other Prescribed and Wildland Fire Training Opportunities
RT-130 Fire Refresher
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Location: Prophetstown State Park
West Lafayette, IN 47906

Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2026
Location: Forestry Training Center
Martinsville, IN 46151

Date: Thursday, December 3, 2026
Location: Forestry Training Center
Martinsville, IN 46151

S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws
Dates: Tues-Thurs, December 8-10, 2026
Location: Forestry Training Center
Martinsville, IN 45151

For all Purdue Extension – forestry and Natural Resources upcoming events view Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Events.

Resources:
FNR Ask The Expert: Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension Forestry & Natural Resources
100 Year Project Shares New Video, Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
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
Burning for Benefits: Why Fire Belongs in Indiana, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Renovating Native Warm-Season Grass Stands for Wildlife: A Land Manager’s Guide, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Backing Fire, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube channel
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Flanking Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Strip Head Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
Wildlife Habitat Hints: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Ring Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
Wildlife Habitat Hints: Prescribed Fire Techniques – Point Source Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Late Growing Season Prescribed Fire, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
FNR Ask The Expert: Prescribed Fire with Jarred Brooke and Mike Saunders, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
Indiana Prescribed Fire Council

Jarred Brooke, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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Whether it’s wildlife finding its way into buildings, mysterious holes appearing in the yard, or concerns about protecting gardens and crops, interactions with wildlife can leave landowners and homeowners searching for answers. To help address these common questions, Purdue University Extension and the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources are offering a new four-part online series, Wildlife Issues and Solutions.

This lunchtime webinar series will provide practical, research-based information to help participants better understand wildlife behavior, identify common wildlife-related problems and explore management options. Each session will include expert guidance and real-world solutions that can be applied around homes, properties, farms and outdoor spaces.

All webinars will take place from Noon to 1:00 p.m. (EST) and are open to anyone interested in learning more about living and working alongside wildlife.

Upcoming Sessions:
November 20, 2026
What’s Making Holes in My Yard?
Learn how to identify the wildlife responsible for digging activity and understand why animals dig in lawns, landscapes and natural areas.

December 11, 2026
Aggressive Wildlife: Truth or Myth?
Explore common misconceptions about aggressive wildlife behavior and learn when concern is warranted and how to respond appropriately.

January 22, 2027
Preparing for Spring: Crop & Garden Damage
Discover strategies to reduce wildlife damage to gardens, landscapes and agricultural crops before the growing season begins.

Whether you’re a homeowner, landowner, gardener, farmer, or simply interested in wildlife, this series will provide valuable insights for managing wildlife interactions while supporting healthy wildlife populations.

Register for the Wildlife Issues and Solutions Online Series:
Registration

Resources:
Diagnosing and Controlling Wildlife Damage, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s rescource center
Preventing Wildlife Damage – Do You Need a Permit?, The Education Store
Wildlife Conflicts, Purdue University
New Tool for Helping Landowners to Help Declining Birds, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR)
Forest Management for Reptiles and Amphibians: A Technical Guide for the Midwest, The Education Store
Ask the Expert: Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment – Birds and Salamander Research, Purdue Extension – FNR
Developing a Wildlife Habitat Management Plan, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching, Purdue Extension
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Native Trees of the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana, Purdue Extension – FNR
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store
ReportINvasive, Purdue College of Agriculture – Entomology
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
District Forester, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 10+ acres
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture
Subscribe Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel

Brian MacGowan​, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University

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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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Do you have a favorite place, species, landscape or natural phenomenon in Indiana? Share it with Dr. Clement Bataille through this Qualtrics survey and it may become part of the new Indiana Natural Resources and Wonders course in spring 2027.

The course will offer a broad survey of Indiana’s natural history and remarkable natural resources, highlighted by a series of case studies ranging from mastodons and glacial lakes to prairies, insect migration, freshwater mussels and more. The course will introduce the natural systems that make Indiana one of the most productive and biologically distinctive landscapes in the United States, from rocks to soils and water, to forests, wildlife and climate.

To flesh out course content and topics for conversation, Bataille is inviting all Indiana residents, FNR alumni, natural resource professionals and other members of the community to share a photo or short story about an Indiana natural resource, place or experience in the state that they find particularly meaningful, remarkable or inspiring.

The deadline for submissions is Nov. 30, 2026.

The Indiana Natural Resources and Wonders course will begin with a look at the Paleozoic bedrock beneath the state and the glacial ice that reworked its surface, then examine the soils that resulted and explain why Indiana supports both exceptional forests and exceptional agriculture. Students will then explore the hydrosphere, working through rivers, lakes, wetlands and groundwater along with their biodiversity and their long history of human interactions. From there the course turns to the prairies and forests of Indiana, then to wildlife and biodiversity, from resident species like white-tailed deer that are actively managed to migratory birds and insects. The course also will investigate how observed and projected climate change might reshape natural resources across Indiana and the conservation and management solutions needed to face this change.

Resources:
Future Undergraduate Students, Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources
SAiVE Lab, Dr. Clement Bataille, Purdue FNR
Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources Names Chair in Environmental Sustainability, Purdue College of Agriculture News
Community Development, Purdue Extension
Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces, Purdue Extension
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel, find natural resources, forestry, wildlife, urban forestry and much more.

Clement Bataille, Belcher Chair, professor
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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

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For more than 100 years, Purdue Extension has worked alongside Indiana communities, helping residents access research-based information, trusted expertise and local support. Now, an exciting new chapter is underway.

As part of Purdue Extension’s transformation to a statewide structure with 12 regional teams, Indiana communities will have greater access to specialized expertise, stronger collaboration across counties and new opportunities to connect with Extension professionals. Purdue Extension has transitioned to a regional model designed to bring together experts from agriculture and natural resources, health and human sciences, community development and 4-H while continuing to serve local needs throughout the state.

Stay Connected Through New Regional Websites and Facebook Pages
Each regional team now has its own online presence where community members can learn about programs, meet team members, discover upcoming events and find resources tailored to their area. These regional websites will serve as hubs for sharing local success stories, educational opportunities and ways to engage with Purdue Extension.

Be sure to follow your regional Purdue Extension office on Facebook to stay connected with local events, educational opportunities, resources and success stories from your area.

Region 1: Northwest (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Northwest Region
Counties served: Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Starke and White

Region 2: North (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension North Region
Counties served: Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph

Region 3: Northeast (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Northeast Region
Counties served: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley

Region 4: North Central (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension North Central Region
Counties served: Cass, Carroll, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Miami and Tipton

Region 5: West Central
Facebook: Purdue Extension West Central Region
Counties served: Benton, Fountain, Montgomery, Parke, Putnam, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo and Warren

Region 6: Central (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Central Region
Counties served: Boone, Hamilton, Hendricks, Hancock, Madison and Marion

Region 7: East Central
Facebook: Purdue Extension East Central Region
Counties served: Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, Union and Wayne

Region 8: Southwest Central (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Southwest Central Region
Counties served: Clay, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Martin, Owen and Sullivan

Region 9: South Central (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension South Central Region
Counties served: Bartholomew, Brown, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan and Shelby

Region 10: Southeast (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Southeast Region
Counties served: Decatur, Dearborn, Franklin, Jennings, Jefferson, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland

Region 11: Southwest (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Southwest Region
Counties served: Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick and Posey

Region 12: South
Facebook: Purdue Extension South Region
Counties served: Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Orange, Scott and Washington

Explore Regional Highlights
Purdue Extension Announces Regional Operations Leaders, Purdue Extension News
Extension Launches Transformation, Purdue Extension
See Regional Impact in Action, Purdue Extension – West Central Impact, Creating Healthier Environments for Young Children
East Central Impact, From Research to the Field: Regional Collaboration at OPAC Field Day

Purdue Extension’s regional structure is built around a simple goal: helping communities thrive by connecting people with the expertise, resources and partnerships they need.

As these regional teams continue to grow, we invite you to explore your regional website, follow your regional Facebook page and discover new opportunities to connect with Purdue Extension.
Find your region. Follow your team. Stay connected.

More Resources:
Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR), Purdue Extension
Find Your Purdue Extension County Office, Purdue Extension
Purdue Extension 2025 Annual Impact Report, Purdue Extension
Facebook, Purdue Extension
Subscribe – Purdue Extension YouTube Channel
Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR)
Ask an Expert, Purdue Extension – FNR
Download Free Publications, Purdue Extension – FNR
Subscribe to Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (videos include: aquaculture, fish management, urban and forestry management, natural resource planning, wildlife and sustainable biomaterials)
Purdue Extension resource center with additional publications – The Education Store

Purdue Extension

Diana Evans, Extension and Web Communication Specialist
Purdue University 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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Many people in the Midwest know about and admire flowering dogwood trees and their distinctive spring flowers, which display conspicuous white or pink bracts (flower structures that resemble petals). Reportedly, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were fans of this tree as well, planting them at their homes in Mount Vernon and Monticello, respectively. Did you know that we have nine native dogwood species in the Midwest?

I’m sourcing information from two books written by Purdue University experts, Native Trees of the Midwest and Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest.

All but one of our native dogwoods (Cornus spp.) have an opposite leaf arrangement, and the leaves look similar, with veins that form an arc that follows the leaf’s shape toward the tip. This characteristic is known as arcuate venation. Fruit can vary among species, exhibiting hues of red, white, or blue. Fall leaf color usually ends in a deep red color. Although I won’t cover pith color (the center of the stem) in detail here, pith color of first- and second-year twigs is usually another good tool for identification. Most species have red or green twigs that add winter interest.

Homeowners may concentrate on the traditional flowering dogwood (C. florida) tree. It is a small tree, usually not exceeding 30-40 feet in height. It is moderately shade-tolerant and may struggle in full sun in home landscapes. In natural areas, it is typically found mixed with hardwoods and conifers in open woods and woods’ edges in rich, well-drained soils.

In addition to the flowering dogwood tree, other native dogwoods are considered shrubs.

Pagoda dogwood (C. alternifolia) is a small tree-sized shrub reaching heights of 18 to 20 feet. Its layered branching with upswept branch ends on older specimens resembles the roof of a Japanese pagoda. This shrub is also known as alternate-leaf dogwood; it is the only native dogwood with an alternate leaf arrangement. Fall leaf color features multiple hues and usually ends in deep burgundy. It is a beautiful and popular choice in home landscapes.

Bunchberry or dwarf cornel (C. canadensis) is the smallest of the native dogwoods. At a maximum height of 8 inches, it is classified as a sub-shrub. It is more common in northern states because it is unable to survive in soil temperatures greater than 65 degrees. Underground rhizomes allow large colonies of this plant to form.

Swamp dogwood (a.k.a. southern swamp dogwood, stiff dogwood; C. foemina or C. stricta) is found mainly in southern Indiana counties in poorly drained woodlands. It can grow to 9 feet in forest understories.

Rough leaf dogwood (C. drummondii or C. asperifolia) is one of our largest native shrubby dogwoods, growing to 12-15 feet or more. As the name suggests, leaves are rough with hairs on the underside. This shrub is easy to grow, but it needs room to grow. Suckers will give rise to new plants but can be controlled with mowing. First-year twigs are reddish-brown with flattened hairs, turning gray and hairless the second year.

Silky dogwood or pale dogwood (C. obliqua or C. amomum) has reddish twigs and a brown pith. The bark is reddish gray with vertical light brown shallow fissures, unique to this dogwood. In nature, this shrub is found along ponds, lakes, streams, and swamps, so it is usually associated with water. It is relatively easy to grow and is commonly found in nurseries.

Gray dogwood or northern swamp dogwood (C. racemosa) only gets about 4-5 feet tall. It frequently forms dense clonal communities that offer cover to wildlife. It can be found in nurseries that specialize in native plants. It is adaptable to wet or dry locations.

Round-leaf dogwood (C. rugosa) is a 5-6 feet tall shrub, more commonly found in the northern tier of Indiana counties. It has pinkish-green, purple, or yellow twigs that become rough with age. As the name suggests, its leaves are broadly ovate (rounder) than those of other shrub dogwoods and may resemble the leaves of flowering dogwood trees. Root suckering can produce small clumps that become small thickets over time.

Red-osier dogwood (a.k.a. red twig dogwood or American dogwood; C. sericea or C. stolonifera) is especially adaptable and the most widely available native shrub dogwood in midwestern nurseries. Its wine-red twigs (when young) are a landscape feature that stands out in winter. Bark on older specimens turns from red to greenish and eventually to grayish-brown. At up to 9 feet tall, it is one of the larger dogwoods, and it’s easy to grow and maintain. In natural areas, it is found in wet, boggy places and is a sun-loving shrub that will tolerate some shade.
You may also come across other non-native dogwoods available in nurseries, such as kousa dogwood (C. kousa), Tatarian dogwood (C. alba), or cornelian cherry dogwood (C. mas).

Identifying dogwoods (especially the shrubs) can be difficult, partly because all the leaves look similar. Finding a good field guide or identification book will help. Some plant identification apps may do a decent job but may need to be double-checked by a good reference book. Find additional information at the Purdue Arboretum.

Resources:
Intro to Trees of Indiana: Flowering Dogwood – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Flowering Dogwood, Native Trees of Indiana River Walk, Purdue Fort Wayne
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana
Cornus alternifolia, The Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
An Introduction to Trees of Indiana, The Education Store
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
ID That Tree, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel-playlist
Woodland Management Moment, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel-playlist

John E. Woodmansee, Lead Regional Educator
Purdue Agriculture and Natural Resources

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Purdue Landscape Report: Fall is one of my favorite times of year. The temperatures begin to cool, the humidity drops, and the landscape starts its annual transformation as trees trade their summer greens for shades of yellow, orange, and red. For those of us who enjoy spending time outdoors, it can also be one of the most pleasant times of year to work in the landscape.

As fall approaches, one question I frequently hear is:
“Is fall a good time to plant a tree?” The answer is yes!

In fact, fall can be an excellent time to add a new tree to your landscape. Cooler temperatures and decreased drought stress can make the transition from nursery to landscape less stressful for newly planted trees. As long as you select an appropriate tree, plant it correctly, and provide proper care after planting, a fall planting can give a tree an excellent start.

Why plant trees in the fall?
One of the biggest advantages of fall planting is the weather. Compared with the heat of summer, cooler fall temperatures reduce heat stress and typically lower evapotranspiration—the amount of water lost from plants and soil to the atmosphere.

Fall also shifts the tree’s priorities. Rather than putting most of its energy into producing new shoots and leaves, a deciduous tree is preparing for dormancy and continuing to develop its root system. Planting during this period can allow roots to become established before the tree has to deal with the heat and water demands of the following summer.

Of course, cooler temperatures and fall rainfall do not eliminate the need to water a newly planted tree. Newly installed trees still require regular attention while their root systems become established.

What should I consider when planting in the fall?
There are a few important considerations to keep in mind.

• Water is still important. If rainfall isn’t providing approximately 1 inch of water per week, newly planted trees will need supplemental irrigation. A useful general guideline is approximately 5 gallons of water per week for every inch of trunk diameter, although actual watering needs will vary depending on soil, weather, tree size, and site conditions. Rather than relying solely on a calendar, check the soil and adjust watering based on conditions.
• Don’t forget to mulch. Apply a layer of organic mulch over the root zone to help conserve soil moisture and moderate soil temperatures. Keep mulch away from direct contact with the trunk—avoid creating the familiar “mulch volcano” around the base of the tree.
• Give the tree time to establish. Ideally, trees should be planted early enough in the fall to allow their roots to become established before the ground freezes. A common recommendation is to allow approximately six weeks between planting and the first hard freeze.
• Choose the right tree for the site. Fall is a good planting season, but it doesn’t make a poorly matched tree a good choice.
• Consider the mature size of the tree, available growing space, soil conditions, sunlight, drainage, and other site characteristics before making your selection.Think about winter protection. Some trees, particularly broadleaf evergreens, may be more susceptible to winter injury because they continue to lose moisture through their leaves when the ground is frozen and roots cannot readily replace that water. Newly planted trees may also benefit from protection against trunk damage from wildlife or winter sun exposure, depending on the species and site.

Give your tree a good start
Planting a tree is a long-term investment. The work you put into selecting, planting, watering, and caring for a tree during its first few years can have a significant impact on its future health and structure.

So, if you’ve been waiting for cooler weather to add a tree to your landscape, fall can be a great time to get planting. Choose the right tree for the right place, plant it properly, and don’t forget about it once the leaves have fallen.

If you have questions about selecting, planting, or caring for a tree, contact your local Extension office or consult an ISA Certified Arborist for site-specific advice. You can find an ISA Certified Arborist through Find an Arborist.

Original article and Additional resources are available through the Purdue Landscape Report.

Subscribe and receive the newsletter: Purdue Landscape Report Newsletter.

Resources:
The Purdue Landscape Report
Planning the Tree Planting Operation, The Education Store
Tree Risk Management – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Tree Planting Part 2: Planting Your Tree, The Education Store
Planting Your Tree Part 1: Choosing Your Tree, Purdue Extension YouTube Channel
Summer Tree Care, Purdue Landscape Report
Tree Defect Identification, The Education Store
Tree Wound and Healing, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources
Surface Root Syndrome, The Education Store
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Ask an Expert: Tree Selection and Planting, Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube playlist
ID That Tree, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube playlist
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel

Ben McCallister, Urban Forestry Specialist
Purdue Forestry & 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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Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG): Understanding what consumers think about fish can help aquaculture producers, marketers, and industry partners communicate more effectively. A new publication from Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant provides research-based guidance to help the Midwest aquaculture industry strengthen consumer connections and promote locally produced fish.

The publication, Catch a Following: Messaging Strategies for US Midwest-Produced Fishes, translates social media sentiment research into practical communication strategies for producers working with Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch and Rainbow Trout. The goal is to help the industry build consumer trust, highlight sustainability efforts and strengthen the market position of Midwest-produced fish.

To discover more about this research and what it reveals about consumer attitudes toward Midwest-produced fish, download the publication, Catch a Following: Messaging Strategies for US Midwest-Produced Fishes.

Resources:
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)
IISG YouTube Channel, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)
Aquatics & Fisheries, YouTube Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Sustainable Aquaculture: What does it mean to you?, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s Resource Center
Guide to Marketing for Small-Scale Aquaculture Producers, The Education Store
A Guide to Small-Scale Fish Processing Using Local Kitchen Facilities, The Education Store
Marine Shrimp Biofloc Systems: Basic Management Practices, The Education Store
Seafood Basics: A Toolkit for Understanding Seafood, Nutrition, Safety and Preparation, and Sourcing, The Education Store
Fish Muscle Hydrolysate, The Education Store
Bluegill Farmed Fish Fact Sheet, The Education Store
Aquaculture Industry in Indiana Growing, Purdue Today
Rainbow Trout Farmed Fish Fact Sheet w/recipe, The Education Store
Atlantic Salmon Farmed Fish Fact Sheet w/recipe, The Education Store
Largemouth Bass Farmed Fish Fact Sheet w/recipe, The Education Store

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)

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

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