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Posted on October 1st, 2024 in Forestry, Plants, Urban Forestry, Wildlife, Woodlands | No Comments »

Lenny Farlee, sustaining hardwood Extension specialist for Purdue’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR), has been named a 2024 Fellow of the Society of American Foresters (SAF). The SAF Fellow Award, one of the highest honors bestowed on an SAF member by their peers, recognizes long-standing service to forestry at the local, state, regional and national levels.

Farlee was honored with the award during the 2024 SAF National Convention, which took place in Loveland, Colorado from Sept. 17-20.

Zhao Ma accepts the 2024 Family Forests Education Award on behalf of Lenny Farlee and the other project team members.

Zhao Ma accepts the 2024 Family Forests Education Award on behalf of Lenny Farlee and the other project team members.

“Being named a Fellow of the Society of American Foresters is particularly meaningful to me since it originates from a nomination by my peers at the state level,” Farlee said. “I am very grateful that my colleagues in forestry here in Indiana considered my service worthy of recognition, and I owe much of the credit to them for their support of me through my career. It has been my privilege to serve the people and the profession as an Extension forester here at Purdue.”

Farlee educates people about forestry in many ways, including through the popular Extension YouTube series “ID That Tree,” which has over 100,000 views.

Farlee was also recognized at the convention with the 2024 Family Forests Education Award. The National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) and the National Association of University Forestry Resources Programs (NAUFRP) gave an award to Farlee, project lead, and his team for their course “Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner.”

Farlee, Ronald RathfonDon CarlsonJonathan Ferris, Dave Osborne and Phil Woolery worked together to develop the course. The course introduces forest landowners to the biology and management of forests and what resources and professional assistance are available. According to survey results from 2021 participants, “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.”

“We in FNR, along with forestry professionals in Indiana and the landowners who have communicated with Lenny and his colleagues through the ‘Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner’ course, know how valuable this program has been to sustainable forest management in Indiana,” said Zhao Ma, interim department head and professor of forestry and natural resources. “So it is absolutely wonderful when others outside of our FNR community and beyond Indiana also recognize the excellent work that Lenny and his colleagues have been doing…, I would also like to share one more note about Lenny – not only has Lenny been a highly valued and respected member of FNR and the forestry profession for many years, but he is also one of the nicest people I have met. He is knowledgeable yet humble, effective yet gentle, serious about his work yet able to have fun, very busy yet always willing to help others and try to be present. We are lucky to have Lenny as our colleague in FNR.”

To view this article along with other news and stories posted on the Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources website view: Purdue FNR Extension specialist receives national recognition for work in forestry

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
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Report Invasive, Purdue Extension
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry Woodland Owners Association
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture

Olivia De Young, Communications Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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