Got Nature? Blog

Explore the latest newsletter updates on the Indiana Woodland Steward website. Stay up-to-date with forestry news and get their free e-newsletter by subscribing at IWS Subscribe.

Highlights from the new Newsletter include:

• An Interview with a Forester
  by Dan Erst
• “Why did you pursue a forestry career? I was a young college kid and really had no idea where I would potentially spend the rest of my life…”
• The EQIP program promotes native plant diversity in Indiana forests
  by Aubrey Franks
  “Invasion by non-native shrubs has negatively affected forests throughout the eastern United States. The onslaught of invasive shrubs, including…”
• 2023 Outdoor Laboratory of the Year
  by Ken Day
  “Fishers Junior High School of Fishers, Indiana was selected as the 2023 Outdoor Laboratory of the Year. The award…”
• 2023 Indiana Tree Farmer of the Year
  by Ken Day
  “Jeffrey and Jeanna Stout of Hagerstown, Indiana are the 2023 Indiana Tree Farmers of the Year. Their tree farm is…”
• Deer Impact Toolbox: Helping Understand and Address Deer Impacts on Indiana Woodlands
  by Jarred Brooke, Lenny Farlee, Elizabeth Jackson, Mike Jenkins, Caleb Redick, and Richard Sample
  “When deer are overabundant, they negatively impact woodlands and forests in Indiana. Have you heard this statement before? Are deer having a negative…”
• The Birders’ Dozen Profile 9: Eastern Whip-poor-will – Dr. Jessica Outcalt, consulting bird biologist
  by Dr. Jessica Outcalt, consulting bird biologist
  “Welcome to the Birders’ Dozen! Over the next four issues we are going to continue introducing the last few birds from…”
• Enriching Log Landings to Benefit the Native Bees of Indiana
  by Aliza Boles Fassler, Cheryl Coon, and Lauren Pile Knapp
  “While everyone knows the European honey bee (Apis mellifera), many don’t know about the 430 species of native bees pollinating Indiana’s..”
• Technology Corner – Merlin Bird ID App
  “Merlin features the best of community contributed photos, songs, and calls, tips from experts around the world to help you ID the birds you see…”
• Ask the Steward – Volume 2
  By Dan Ernst
  “Question: Are cicadas and locusts the same insect and are they edible?”

The Indiana Woodland Steward Newsletter is a resource offering a wealth of valuable information for foresters, woodland owners, timber marketing specialists, woodland and wildlife enthusiasts. The Indiana Woodland Steward Institute (IWS) is an entity made from 11 organizations within the state including Purdue University, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association (IHLA), that works to promote best usage practices of Indiana’s woodland resources through their Woodland Steward publication.

Resources
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment – Wildlife Responses to Timber Harvesting, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store
Managing Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer, The Education Store
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Birds and Residential Window Strikes: Tips for Prevention, The Education Store
Breeding Birds and Forest Management: the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment and the Central Hardwoods Region, The Education Store
Deer Impact Toolbox, The Education Store
Birdfeeder tips, The National Audubon Society
Managing Woodlands for Birds Video, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Subscribe: Deer, Forest Management, ID That Tree, Woodland Management Moment, Invasive Species and many other topic video playlists Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel

Dan McGuckin, President
Indiana Woodland Steward

Dr. Brian MacGowan, Extension Wildlife Specialist
Department of Forestry & Natural Resources, Purdue University