Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources

04/06/2026

Meet FNR's Outstanding Junior Max Clark: https://ag.purdue.edu/news/department/fnr/2026/06/meet-outstanding-junior-max-clark.html . "I’m honored to have been named the FNR Outstanding Junior for 2025-26. Being selected for this award means a lot to me, as it reflects my personal growth during my time in FNR. I think it also represents that the impact I’ve worked to have here is being recognized, and I hope I can continue to have a positive impact on the FNR community."

04/06/2026

PhD student Natalie Allen's research looks at several animal species, using genome sequencing to answer questions with conservation implications. Get to know the recent The Fulbright Program semifinalist and her work in this Graduate Ag Research Spotlight: https://ag.purdue.edu/news/department/arge/2026/06/graduate-spotlight-natalie-allen.html

02/06/2026

Today's Postcards from Practicum show off a little bit of scenery and a lot of animal action from bears on our trail cameras to foxes, chipmunks, squirrels, frogs, turtles, fish and snakes. Hands-on learning from powder tracking to seining and flying drones were all part of the Week 3 curriculum.

01/06/2026

Shout out to our Help the Hellbender research team, which was honored alongside O'Bannon Woods State Park, with the Excellence in Resource Management Award at the Indiana State Parks division meeting in May.

In its recognition, Indiana State Parks said, "Since 2007, the Purdue University hellbender research team has been an invaluable partner at O’Bannon Woods State Park, spearheading the successful recovery of the endangered Eastern Hellbender in the Blue River. Their work reintroduced over 800 individuals with a 75% survival rate, and provided critical educational support through programs and the 5k Hellbender Hustle. Their statewide work has expanded and includes habitat protection efforts and they provide unique public opportunities at the O’Bannon Woods Nature Center for visitors to enjoy and learn while visiting the Park."

Pictured left to right: Leslie Grow, assistant manager O'Bannon Woods SP, Brandt Baughman, State Parks Director, Nick Burgmeier, Purdue Research Biologist and Wildlife Extension Specialist, Jarrett Manek, Interpretive Naturalist O'Bannon Woods SP, Stanley Baelz, property manager O'Bannon Woods SP.

30/05/2026

From crayfish to turtles, frogs and snakes to time in the woods and on the water, here's a peek at Week 2 of Summer Practicum. Check out more in the full photo gallery.

28/05/2026

Join us in welcoming Danielle Howard as the new FNR Extension prescribed fire specialist, a position funded by the Sam Shine Foundation. (https://ag.purdue.edu/news/department/fnr/2026/05/fnr-extension-hires-danielle-howard.html) Danielle is a familiar face to those in FNR, having served as the field coordinator for the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment from 2020-2023. She comes into the prescribed fire role after a three-year stint as the central region ecologist for Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish, Wildlife and Nature Preserves.

Indiana Prescribed Fire Council extension Purdue Agriculture

27/05/2026

We kicked off Week 2 of Summer Practicum (May 17-23) with a day trip to Lake in the Clouds and the Porcupine Mountains. Check out some Postcards from Practicum. A little fun in nature was just the refresher needed after a week of field work.

26/05/2026

We are amazed each semester by the creativity and skill of our FNR Furniture Product Development And Strength Design students. Here's a look at the final projects of the Spring 2026 class.

22/05/2026

We send you into the weekend with our second set of Postcards from Practicum, wrapping up Week 1 action. Enjoy!

21/05/2026

We are sad to share about the passing of one of our FNR emeritus professors, Dr. Doug Knudson. Knudson, who worked his entire career as a professor of forestry at Purdue University from 1960-1999 and earned his PhD from FNR in 1965, passed away on May 14 at the age of 89. See his full obituary here: https://www.abplace-funeral-cremation.com/obituaries/Douglas-Marvin-Knudson?obId=48401210&source=SmsSh Share any memories in the comments below or on the obituary page.

Dr. Knudson's daughter Cynthia and son Scott shared that after retiring, South Fork, Colorado, became his home. "He loved it there, and he enjoyed his community of friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens. He led community hikes in the mountains, dove head-first into promoting the Old Spanish Trail Association, sat on the board of the Rio Grande County Museum and went out into the national forest hunting for a Christmas tree for his church every year."

View Douglas Marvin Knudson's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.