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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 – The Education Store, Purdue Education’s resource center
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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MyDNR, Indiana’s Outdoor Newsletter: The Division of Law Enforcement is looking for highly motivated, outdoor-centered individuals to fill Conservation Officer positions across the state.

Anyone interested should first read “Become a Conservation Officer” at on.IN.gov/ico-hiring and complete the pre-screening test under the “Apply” link. Successful completion of the pre-screening test will automatically enter you into the hiring process.

To be qualified to pass the pre-screening test, you must be a United States citizen and be 21 years old by Oct. 30. You also must be able to pass the new Physical Agility Test, which is the new fitness standard for all Law Enforcement in the state starting Aug. 1. The website listed above also contains a video demonstrating the Physical Agility Test, course diagram and testing protocols.

Conservation officers comprise Indiana’s oldest state law enforcement agency. ICOs are fully recognized Indiana police officers who enforce and uphold all DNR rules and regulations as well as all other Indiana state laws. ICOs spend most of their time on the job enforcing fishing and hunting regulations, conducting marine boat patrol on Indiana’s waterways, and patrolling DNR properties to keep them safe and family friendly.

In addition to traditional law enforcement work, ICOs also engage in specialty areas, including scuba, K-9, search and rescue, swift water rescue and many more.

For more information, visit the DNR hiring for Indiana Conservation Officer positions webpage.

More Resources:
Hunting Guide, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IN DNR)
MyDNR Newsletter, IN DNR
Wild Bulletin Newsletter, IN DNR
Fishing Guide, IN DNR
Creating a Wildlife Habitat Management Plan for Landowners, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
A Template for Your Wildlife Habitat Management Plan, The Education Store
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Trail Camera Tips and Tricks, Got Nature? Blog
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Designing Hardwood Tree Plantings for Wildlife – The Education Store
ID That Tree – YouTube Playlist
How to Score Your White-tailed Deer, video, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
White-Tailed Deer Post Harvest Collection, video, The Education Store
Age Determination in White-tailed Deer, video, The Education Store
How to Build a Plastic Mesh Deer Exclusion Fence, The Education Store
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
A Template for Your Wildlife Habitat Management Plan, The Education Store
Managing Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer, The Education Store

Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IN DNR)

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In this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension Forester Lenny Farlee introduces us to Shumard oak, a native oak species found in parts of Indiana. While it is sometimes confused with other oaks, including northern red oak, this species has key characteristics that set it apart. Learn where Shumard oak is typically found, how it fits into Indiana’s woodland landscapes and what to look for when distinguishing it from similar plants. This video provides a helpful introduction to identifying Shumard oak whether you’re a student, landowner or just interested in better understanding the trees around you.

 

If you have any questions regarding wildlife, trees, forest management, wood products, natural resource planning or other natural resource topics, feel free to contact us by using our Ask an Expert web page.

Resources:
ID That Tree – Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana, Purdue Extension – FNR
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Report Invasive, Purdue Extension
Habitat University, Episode 12 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Native Trees of the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry Woodland Owners Association
District Forester, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 10+ acres
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store

Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Purdue Department of Forestry & Natural Resources

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Join Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee in this episode of “A Woodland Management Moment” as he discusses the benefits of using windbreak plantings around hardwood tree plantations. Using a black walnut planting as an example, this episode introduces how windbreaks can influence early growth, protection and overall tree from. The video also connects windbreaks to broader planting strategies and long-term management objectives. Watch to learn how thoughtful plantation design can support both tree performance and woodland management goals.

 

A good resource to learn more is the Walnut Council website. Founded in 1970, the Walnut Council is an international association representing nearly 700 woodland owners, foresters, forest scientists, and wood-producing industry representatives in 45 states and three foreign countries. The purpose is to assist in the technical transfer of forest research to field applications, help build and maintain better markets for wood products and nut crops, and to promote sustainable forest management, conservation, reforestation, and utilization of American black walnut (Juglans nigra) and other high quality fine hardwoods.

If you have any questions regarding trees, forests, wildlife, wood products, or other natural resource topics, feel free to contact us by using our Ask an Expert web page.

Resources:
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Explore the Rich World of Oaks with Purdue FNR Extension & Partners, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
It’s Not Too Late to Order Trees for Spring Planting, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Native Trees of the Midwest, Purdue University Press
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners Video Series, Playlist, Indiana Department of Natural Resources YouTube Channel
District Forester, Indiana DNR Division of Forestry, for over 10 acres of woodlands
Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA)
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Purdue Arboretum Explorer

Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Purdue Department of Forestry & Natural Resources

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Indiana joined 22 other states in 2025 when it launched its state-level Certified Prescribed Burn Manager (CPBM) Program. This program resulted from HB-1557, which went into effect on July 1, 2025. For more information about the new prescribed fire law in Indiana and what it means for burners, check out the Indiana Prescribed Burn Law Factsheet.

This article will walk through the steps to complete all stages of the program. The Indiana DNR CPBM Policy can be viewed by visiting the Indiana Prescribed Fire Council website.

The CPBM program consists of three parts:

• Online Training
• In-Person Training
• Prescribed Burn Experience

Indiana CPBM Requirements At-a-glance

1. Online Training
   1. S-130
   2. S-190
   3. L-180
   4. IS-100
2. In-Person Training
   1. S-130 Field Day (no pack test requirement)
   2. Indiana DNR Prescribed Fire for Managers
3. Burn Experience (Minimum of 5 total burns for experience)
   1. Participate in 5 prescribed fires
   2. At least 3 in woodland at least 1 in grassland
   3. Ben an Apprentice Burn Manager for 2 burns
   4. 1 woodland and 1 grassland burn
4. Paperwork and Documentation
   1. IN CPBM Application
   2. IN CPBM Experience Log
   3. IN CPBM Task Book
   4. Burn Plans for Apprentice Burns

Online Training Requirements

The online training required for the CPBM program includes many of the same courses as are necessary for Basic Wildland Firefighting.

• S-130 Firefighter Training
• S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
• L-180 Human Factors on the Fireline I
• S-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System

These are self-paced, free online courses available through FEMA, the National Fire Academy (NFA), and the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

• FEMA – IS-100
• National Fire Academy Registration Page – S-130, S-190, L-180
• Wildland Fire Learning Portal – S-130, S-190, L-180

*Before taking any courses through FEMA or registering for the NFA, you need to obtain a FEMA SID#. You can do that at FEMA: Student Identification System.

In-Person Training Requirements

The two requirements for in-person training are:

• S-130 Field Day (1-day; no pack test required)
• Indiana DNR Prescribed Fire for Managers (2-day)

How to complete the in-person training?
In-person S-130 Field Days and Indiana DNR Prescribed Fire for Managers courses are offered 1-2 times per year, often offered in the spring (Feb-Mar) and in December.

*To take the S-130 Field Day, you need to complete the required online training before the field day. To take the Prescribed Fire for Managers Course, you need to take the S-130 Field Day.

You can find information about upcoming trainings by visiting the Indiana Prescribed Fire Council (INPFC) website and the Indiana DNR Fire Headquarters Training Portal.

Prescribed Burn Experience

To be an Indiana CPBM, you need the following prescribed fire experience:

• Participate in 5 prescribed fires across the 2 major fuel model groups in Indiana (grass and hardwood timber litter)
  • At least 3 of the burns shall be in the hardwood timber litter fuel model
• Serve as an Apprentice Burn Manager on 2 of the 5 prescribed burns – 1 from each of the two fuel model groups (grass and timber litter)

Serving as an “Apprentice Burn Manager” means you need to lead burns under the guidance of an existing CPBM, RxB1, or RxB2 (RxB1 & RxB2 are Burn Boss qualifications through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group) and complete a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Task Book related to preparing for and managing a prescribed burn.

How do I receive prescribed fire experience?

To get experience as a crew member on prescribed fires, here are a few steps:

• Meet Common Training Requirements: Many organizations (but not all) require burn crews to have basic wildland fire training courses, many of which are needed for the CPBM program. Having these trainings will open the door for more opportunities.
  • Basic Wildland Firefighter (FFT2) Requirements (bolded are required for CPBM)
    • S-130 (Online and Field Day)
    • S-190
    • L-180
    • IS-100
    • IS-700B
    • Arduous Work Capacity Test (Pack Test)
• Attend a Learn-N-Burn: these half- or full-day events can help you get your feet wet with prescribed fire and are offered by groups like the Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife and Purdue Extension. Generally, prior experience or training is not required for these events.
  • Upcoming Learn-N-Burns can be found under Events on the INPFC events website.
• Find Volunteer Opportunities: Many organizations accept volunteers for prescribed fire, but may require Basic Wildland Firefighter Training (see above).
  • Volunteer on burns with The Nature Conservancy
    • To be a TNC fire volunteer, you need to be a FFT2 or complete the Prescribed Fire Crew Member (RxCM) standard, which is similar to FFT2 standards but does not require IS-700 and requires a moderate pack test. View the TNC Fire Manual for more information.
  • To learn more about helping TNC on prescribed burns, contact Stuart Orr, Indiana Fire Program Manager at sorr@tnc.org.
• Volunteer with your Local Land Trust
  • Indiana is home to over 20 land trusts, many of which utilize prescribed fire.
  • Each land trust may have different requirements to volunteer for prescribed fire.
  • Visit the Discover Your Land Trust page on the Indiana Land Protection Alliance website to find a land trust in your area.
• Find landowners in your area who are using prescribed fire and volunteer to help
  • Several landowners across Indiana use prescribed fire and may be seeking help.
    • You may be able to find landowners who burn through existing conservation networks, such as local NGOs (NWTF, NDA, PF, or QF Chapters) or landowner groups such as the Indiana Forest and Woodland Owners Association.
  • Join or start a Prescribed Burn Association, which is a collection of landowners who help each other burn by pooling resources, equipment, knowledge, and crew through a “Neighbor Helping Neighbor” model.

How do I receive apprentice burn manager fire experience?

The first step in finding opportunities is building relationships with current prescribed fire practitioners. By volunteering as a crew member, you start to learn about prescribed fire and build relationships with existing burn managers. This may lead to opportunities to apprentice in the future.

The Indiana Prescribed Fire Council is piloting a Prescribed Fire Opportunity Sharing Network to help connect those seeking burn experience with experienced burners. You can use the links below to sign up for this network as either a Mentor (have experience) or Mentee/Apprentice (need experience). Register on the Mentor sign-up or the Mentee sign-up.

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
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
Renovating Native Warm-Season Grass Stands for Wildlife: A Land Manager’s Guide, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center

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

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Purdue Extension has helped subdue invasive species ranging from kudzu and emerald ash borer to thousand canker disease and spongy moth. The work continues against new waves of invaders, such as tree of heaven and spotted lanternfly.

Aside from pushing out native species, spotted lanternfly presents an economic threat to Indiana’s forests, which annually provide $3.5 billion in value-added and $7.9 billion in value of shipments to Indiana’s economy (data from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources) and its commercial vineyards, which contribute $2.4 billion annually (data from the Indiana Wine Grape Council). Nationally, invasive species cost the U.S. an estimated $138 billion per year in damages, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Spotted lanternfly is an imminent risk to Monroe County. That’s largely because of the tree of heaven, which has established scattered populations throughout Indiana.

“The spotted lanternfly has arrived in Indiana, and the tree of heaven is its preferred food source,” says Ellen Jacquart, president of Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species. “Indeed, some recent research shows that spotted lanternflies may not be able to complete their metamorphosis into an adult if they don’t feed on the tree of heaven. So now we have this push to get rid of tree of heaven because the spotted lanternfly was just found two counties east of us.”

Jacquart has worked with Extension’s Robert Bruner, exotic forest pest specialist, and Lenny Farlee, sustaining hardwood specialist, to combat the pest and other invasives.

“Bob Bruner and his updates on spotted lanternfly have been awesome,” Jacquart says. “Lenny has become one of the highlight speakers at many of the invasive species conferences that I go to because he is so good at explaining control techniques. He brings in a lot of experience and knowledge, whether you’re working at the scale of a small yard or 40 acres.”

The Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project (FPOSP) — a joint effort between Purdue Extension Entomology and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — has long addressed the growing problem of exotic pests through detection, education and reporting. FPOSP’s outreach includes educational and professional development programming. The project also seeks to create a group of citizen scientists motivated to help report and manage invasive species.

Bruner expanded this effort in 2023 by launching a series of live webinars called ReportINvasive. He also began providing in-person presentations at events such as the Indiana Green Expo, Indiana Invasive Species Conference and Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas meetings.

The bulk of invasive plant work in forestry involves herbicide applications to control the intruders, says Philip Marshall, forest health specialist at the Indiana DNR. Extension specialists are among the speakers at the annual Forest Pesticide Training Program, which provides approved continuing education credits from the Office of the Indiana State Chemist. Extension presenters regularly share best practices and research with attendees, who often engage in invasive species management in various capacities.

“I rely on Purdue and the Extension people for technical expertise.” – Philip Marshall, forest health specialist, Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Marshall cites the value of the training program, as well as the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab, which helps county extension educators and other Indiana stakeholders identify invasive species and other plant and pest problems. An insect, a virus, a fungus or a plant can become an invasive pest or pathogen.

Marshall, Farlee and other experts from Purdue, Indiana DNR and elsewhere spoke in September at the 2025 Indiana Invasive Species Conference. Hosted by Extension and the Indiana Invasive Species Council, the conference catered to scientists, researchers, landscapers, landowners and concerned citizens alike.

Henry Quesada, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources program leader, delivered the keynote address. His topic: Ecological, social and economic consequences of invasive species on forests and forest products, the same reasons that drive Extension’s work forward.

To view this article along with other news and stories posted on the Purdue Extension website view: Uniting Indiana Residents Against Invasive Species.

Purdue University Extension

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Morning AgClips: Have you seen a bald eagle recently? I still marvel when I see one soaring in flight. It’s exciting to see them swoop down near the surface of a river and snatch a fish. You may have even taken advantage of watching “eagle cams,” 24-hour video feeds of an eagle’s nest. You may have participated in an “Eagle Watch” event, hosted by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Or, perhaps you have seen and kept an eye on an eagle’s nest near you!

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) has been the national bird of the United States since 1782, when it was adopted as a core element in the Great Seal of the United States.

Apparently, a long-standing and frequently perpetuated myth in American history is that Benjamin Franklin preferred the turkey to the eagle as a national symbol. According to Harvard University, his tongue-in-cheek comments berating the eagle while extolling the turkey were taken out of context. Evidently, they were meant as a joke regarding the insignia of the Society of the Cincinnati, in which Franklin thought the bird depicted looked more like a turkey than an eagle. (I’m not a historian; you can do your own research and decide for yourself.)

Once a federal- and state-endangered species, due to hunting and use of certain pesticides (now banned), the bald eagle has recovered quite well.

Brian MacGowan, Purdue Extension wildlife specialist, said that bald eagles were once listed under the Endangered Species Act. “However, their populations recovered to a level where they were delisted,” he said. “Even so, Bald Eagles are still offered some level of protection under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.”

Indiana DNR reported that in 2020, there were more than 350 nesting territories in Indiana. Bald eagles have been sighted in almost every Indiana county.

You might assume that springtime is bald eagle breeding season, but bald eagles breed in the winter. “Winter is a time when Bald Eagles build nests in large trees or snags near sources of food – rivers, streams, and lakes,” said MacGowan. “The nests they construct are very large (4-6 feet in diameter) and can weigh more than 1,000 pounds.” He said they also construct alternate nests within their territory and will usually return to the same nesting territory year after year.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website offers more facts on bald eagles and their young. They write that wintering eagles prefer mature trees along large, open bodies of water for daytime perches. At night, large trees in sheltered valleys and ravines are preferred for roosting, and it is common for eagles to roost in small groups during winter.

Indiana DNR further states that eagle eggs have a 35-day incubation period and that young eagles leave the nest or “fledge” at 11-12 weeks old. Adult eagles do not begin to nest until they are 4 or 5 years old. Eagles mate for life and return each year to the same location to nest and breed, selecting nest sites close to where they were raised as young.

View Morning AgClips full article for more interesting facts of bald eagles: Have You Seen A Soaring Eagle Lately?

To subscribe and receive the Morning AgClips Newsletter by email view, Subscribe to Our Daily Newsletter.

Resources:
Bald Eagle Breeding Season is Upon Us, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) Got Nature? Blog
Indiana Department of Natural Resources Shares Bald Eagle Successfully Recovered, MyDNR, Indiana’s Outdoor News
Bald Eagle, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IN DNR)
Forestry for the Birds Virtual Tour, Purdue Extension – Pond and Wildlife
Breeding Birds and Forest Management: the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment and the Central Hardwoods Region, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Forest Birds, The Education Store
Managing Woodlands for Birds, The Education Store
Managing Woodlands for Birds Video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Breeding Birds and Forest Management: the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment and the Central Hardwoods Region, The Education Store
The Birders’ Dozen, Profile: Baltimore Oriole, Indiana Woodland Steward
Ask An Expert: Birdwatching, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube channel
Birds and Residential Window Strikes: Tips for Prevention, The Education Store
No Room at the Inn: Suburban Backyards and Migratory Birds, The Education Store

Morning AgClips

John E. Woodmansee, Extension Educator – Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)
Purdue Extension – Whitely County

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Attention teachers! If you’re interested in bringing real-world natural resources learning into their classrooms, you now have the opportunity to apply for the 2026 Indiana Natural Resources Teacher Institute (NRTI). Registration is officially open and applications are due March 31, 2026. The NRTI is a week-long, immersive professional development workshop designed to equip teachers with the knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively teach forest ecology, forest management, and natural resource science. Cohosted by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, the institute blends classroom-ready training with hands-on field experiences.

The 2026 institute will take place June 15–19, beginning at 1 p.m. on Monday and concluding at noon on Friday. Participants will stay at the Forestry Training Center at Morgan-Monroe State Forest near Martinsville, where meals and lodging are provided.

Throughout the week, educators will:

• Tour public and private forest lands, forest industry facilities, and forestry research sites
• Learn from natural resource professionals, researchers, and industry leaders
• Explore how sustainable forestry supports Indiana’s environment, economy, and quality of life
• Develop a curriculum project to implement with their students

There is no cost to attend. Accepted applicants (up to 18 educators) pay a refundable $50 deposit, returned at the end of the program.

To explore program details, visit the Indiana Natural Resources Teacher Institute webpage.

Resources:
Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources Facebook Page
Project Learning Tree
Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry
The Nature of Teaching, Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
The Nature of Teaching: Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching: Adaptations for Aquatic Amphibians, The Education Store
Trees of the Midwest Webinar, Nature of Teaching YouTube channel
Indiana Forestry Educational Foundation, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association
Forest/Timber, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Natural Resources Teacher Institute Takes Forestry to the Classroom, Purdue FNR News
Purdue Extension

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

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In this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension Forester Lenny Farlee introduces us to a native Indiana shrub that’s seen less often than some of its relatives. While it’s related to other sumac species, fragrant sumac has its own place in Indiana’s landscapes. Learn where it grows, how it fits into woodland and edge environment along with what makes it distinct from other sumacs you might recognize. Whether you’re a student, landowner or even just simply curious about native shrubs, this video offers a quick overview of this interesting bush in Indiana.

 

If you have any questions regarding wildlife, trees, forest management, wood products, natural resource planning or other natural resource topics, feel free to contact us by using our Ask an Expert web page.

Resources:
ID That Tree – Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana, Purdue Extension – FNR
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Report Invasive, Purdue Extension
Habitat University, Episode 12 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Native Trees of the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry Woodland Owners Association
District Forester, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 10+ acres
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store

Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Purdue Department of Forestry & Natural Resources

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In this webinar hosted by Purdue University Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources and the Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center (HTIRC), Extension Forester Lenny Farlee introduces the fundamentals of tree silvics and forest succession, the biological foundation of forest management. The presentation explores how tree species’ life histories and ecological growth influence forest development and management outcomes.

Topics include definitions of silvics, shade tolerance, regeneration strategies, disturbance (such as fire and wind) and how different species respond to environmental conditions over time. The webinar provides a clear foundation for understanding forest ecology and applying that knowledge to sustainable management and conservation.

 

Check out the Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel for more videos and webinars covering urban and forestry management, woodlands and wildlife.

Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Purdue Department of Forestry & Natural Resources

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