Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources

10/09/2026

Remember the joys of group work and interactive discussions in class? Here's a look at our Spatial Ecology class, taught by Dr. Bryan Pijanowski, in action last week. It's so great having our students back on campus again. Share your favorite group activity memories in the comments.

09/09/2026

Meet Dr. Ted Cable (MS 1980, PhD1984), FNR's 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The Lansing, Illinois, native has dedicated his career in nature interpretation and teaching and as an author to helping people see beauty in things that are not pretty: from lesser-known species of birds to flawed people, landscapes along seemingly boring stretches of highway to historical landmarks and events. He has written 15 books and published more than 250 articles on topics from nature interpretation to birding to travel, while also acting as a professor and administrator at Kansas State University for nearly 35 years. He has contributed to the design and development of many interpretive trails at local, state and national parks, while also training travel and tour guides across the world in heritage interpretation. He also has served the broader natural resources community as a journal editor, board member, consultant and advisor.

08/09/2026

We could not be more excited to share our favorite eastern hellbender salamander with the world!

Indiana Department of Natural Resources The Wildlife Society Environmental Education Association of Indiana - EEAI Columbian Park Zoo The Wilds Fort Wayne Zoo Indianapolis Zoo Indiana Department of Environmental Management Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden The Nature Conservancy Crawford County Soil & Water Conservation Harrison County Soil & Water Conservation District Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District

To the millions of Minecraft players everywhere, let us introduce the hellbender.

A new Minecraft Education game inspired by Purdue research lets you dive into the underwater world of one of America’s strangest — and most important — amphibians. Players become wildlife biologists, lab researchers, conservationists and even the hellbender itself as they learn how clean water, healthy streams and human choices shape the species’ future.

Get the full story: https://purdue.university/4qWmz9P

Texas Tech University | Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources | Help the Hellbender

06/09/2026

Football season isn’t the only sign that fall is on the way!🏈🐦

Just hours after the Boilermakers won Friday night, BirdCast estimated that more than 10.3 million birds were in flight over Indiana at once,, the biggest night of migration so far this season. Another 232 million birds are expected to be in action nationally on Sunday night.

BirdCast, a project supported by researchers in the Purdue AeroEco Lab, uses weather radar data—like those shown in this video—to track migration and estimate the number of birds in flight each night across the U.S.📡🐦

It may still feel like summer outside, but the birds are already telling us that fall is on the way.🍂🍁

04/09/2026

It's National Wildlife Day, a day to raise awareness about animal conservation, endangered species and the preservation of natural habitats. Here's a look at just a few of the amazing wildlife species that our faculty, staff and students are currently researching: white tailed deer, Northern Saw-whet Owls, river otters, eastern hellbender salamanders, northern leopard frogs, purple martins, cerulean warblers, black vultures and turkey vultures.

03/09/2026

Do you know an FNR alum that has done outstanding work that deserves department recognition? Nominations are open until Sept. 14 (https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6sQD8ViCh33LMOy) for our FNR Outstanding Young Alumni Award (less than 15 years since last FNR degree completion), Distinguished Alumni Award (mid-career award) or Lifetime Achievement Award (does not have to be an FNR alum). For a list of past recipients, qualifications and nomination materials: https://ag.purdue.edu/department/fnr/alumni/awards.html

Here's a look back at the honorees from 2024 (https://ag.purdue.edu/news/department/fnr/2024/12/fnr-announces-2024-career-award-recipients.html) and 2025 (https://ag.purdue.edu/news/department/fnr/2026/01/fnr-names-2025-alumni-career-award-recipients.html).

02/09/2026

A field trip on the first week of school? Dr. Kyle Horton's Advanced Ornithology class and Jarred Brooke's History and Role of Hunting in North American Wildlife Conservation class got hands-on experience banding wood ducks with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area on Friday. What a great day in nature!

01/09/2026

As a forestry major, you'll gain hands-on experience in the field, work alongside industry experts and explore careers ranging from conservation and urban forestry to wood products and natural resource management. With immersive learning opportunities, internships and a five-week Summer Practicum, you'll graduate ready to make an impact wherever forests grow. Check out the possibilities and pass them along to others interested in making a difference.

31/08/2026

Help us celebrate Francis "Franky" Kudwa, who successfully defended his master's thesis last week. His thesis was on "Spawning Habitat Utilization and Early Life Dynamics of Great Lakes Fishes."

Franky is advised by Dr. Tomas Hook. His defense committee also included Drs. Paris Collingsworth and David Fielder (Michigan Department of Natural Resources).

28/08/2026

Are you an agricultural producer or landowner in Indiana that is interested in gaining funding to help you protect and conserve your land? Apply by Dec. 18 to be considered for fiscal year 2027 funding. (https://www.morningagclips.com/nrcs-in-indiana-accepting-applications-for-conservation-programs/). Here's a look at one example of the impact these programs can have for landowners and the environment around them: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/indiana/news/restoring-roots-to-save-the-salamanders