Got Nature? Blog

Do you want to learn more about trees, forests and how to better manage your woodlands for a variety of purposes?

Sign up for one of four upcoming editions of the award-winning Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner course in Spring 2026. The course received the 2024 Family Forests Education Award from the National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) and the National Association of University Forestry Resources Programs (NAUFRP).

Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner introduces forest landowners to the biology and management of forests. Topics covered include tree identification, forest biology and history, forest management planning and practices, wildlife management, considerations for selling timber, forest economics and taxation, and resources and assistance available to forest landowners.

According to survey results from course participants in 2021, “94.4% stated that the information was useful to help them make future decisions and 92.5% stated that the information was useful to help act to manage their property objectives.”

Ron Rathfon is set to teach an eight-week version of the course at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center (SIPAC) in Dubois, Indiana, from January 26 to March 16.

The course will meet on Monday evenings (6-9 p.m.) at 11371 East Purdue Farm Rd., and also will include one Saturday field session. Class size is limited to 40 registrants. Advanced registration is required by Jan. 16. Cost is $50 with couples/family registration available for $30 for each additional person.

Those interested should contact Amity Traylor, District Coordinator with the Pike County Soil & Water Conservation District at 812-354-6120 ext. 3 or pikecoswcd@gmail.com to receive a brochure and registration form as well as payment information.

Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee will teach two iterations of the course in Tippecanoe County, beginning on Feb. 18 and March 5 respectively.

• A virtual course is slated to begin on Wednesday Feb. 18. The course will feature three live online meetings during which participants may ask questions and receive updated information from the course instructor related to the recorded videos available to view at any time by the registrants. Live meetings are set for Feb. 18, March 11 and April 1. Full registration fee is $15. Registration for this virtual edition is available online through Feb. 13.
• Farlee also will teach an in-person edition of the course, meeting on Thursday evenings from March 5 to April 23 at the John S. Wright Center (1007 N 725 W, West Lafayette, IN 47906). In addition to the eight evening meetings (from 6-9 p.m. ET), the course will include two Saturday field days, which will provide in-person experience with forest biology and management demonstrations and instruction. Full registration fee ($50) includes handouts, flash drive with class reference resources and a tree measuring stick. Guest registration fee ($30) includes class handouts. Visit Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner Event webpage to learn more and register by February 28th.

Veronica Bullock and Dave Osborne will be teaching a program in Franklin County from Feb. 10 to March 31.

The course will take place on Tuesdays from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. ET at the Franklin County Public Library – 919 Main Street, Brookville, IN 47012. This course also will include a field tour at the Southeast Purdue Agriculture Center (4426 County Road 360 North, Butlerville, IN 47223) on March 21. Registration is available online. Contact Bullock with any questions at bullockv@purdue.edu.

To view this article along with other news and stories posted on the Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources website view: FNR Extension Set to Offer Four Editions of Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner Course in Spring 2026.

Resources:
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners YouTube Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR
Wildlife Habitat Hint YouTube Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR
Woodland Management Moment YouTube Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR
Invasive Species YouTube Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR
Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner Course – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
Finding help from a professional forester, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Indiana Woodland Steward Institute
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE)
Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center (HTIRC)
Help the Hellbender
The Nature of Teaching
Pond and Wildlife Management, Website
Sustainable Communities and Community Planning, Purdue Extension
Subscribe Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel

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