PROGRAMS
Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner Course
Optional short introduction goes here.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Do you want to learn more about trees, forests and how to better manage your woodlands for a variety of purposes? Sign up for one of four upcoming editions of the award-winning Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner course in Spring 2026. The course received the 2024 Family Forests Education Award from the National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) and the National Association of University Forestry Resources Programs (NAUFRP).
Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner course introduces forest landowners to the biology and management of forests. Topics covered include tree identification, forest biology and history, forest management planning and practices, wildlife management, considerations for selling timber, forest economics and taxation, and resources and assistance available to forest landowners.
The in-person course meets weekly, 3 hours typically in the evenings at various locations around the state. Two, Saturday field tours are also included. A virtual version features three live online meetings during which participants may ask questions and receive updated information from the course instructor related to the recorded videos available to view at any time by the registrants.
Participants will receive handouts, a flash drive with class reference resources, and a tree measuring stick.
In-person: $50 full registration fee, $30 additional family members fee (only includes handouts)
Multiple courses are held annually each year. Specifics (dates, times) vary by location but courses are held during 8 weeks sometime during January through April. Check the FNR Extension calendar for specifics.
Registration method varies by location. See the FNR Extension calendar entry for information about each course.
Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
lfarlee@purdue.edu
Ron Rathfon, Extension Forester
Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
ronr@purdue.edu
[The] experience and knowledge of the instructors, hands on learning experience, resources, and growth in my confidence to manage my land effectively gave me motivation to re-energize my efforts to improve my land.
Program Impact
Forests cover nearly 20% of Indiana, and approximately 85% is in private ownerships like farms and families. Less than 20% of those owners have a forest management plan to guide them in the sustainable management of their property. Forests provide multiple ecologic, economic, and societal benefits, but may not be realizing their potential due to poor or no management activity, and threats like invasive plant species and pests. Indiana forests also support an important forest products industry, employing thousands of people and supporting many rural communities. Private forestland owners are often unaware of the resources and assistance available to them for realizing their property management goals. The Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner course provides forest landowners eight learning sessions designed to introduce them to the biology and management of forests, and the resources and professional assistance they can access to help them form their property management goals and pursue their objectives. Field experiences are integrated into the course to provide in-person, hands-on connections with the biology and management of Indiana forests. Connections made during the course and field tours introduce landowners to the foresters and other natural resource professionals who can help them with the management of their forestland.
The Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner course provides forest landowners eight learning sessions designed to introduce them to the biology and management of forests, and the resources and professional assistance they can access to help them form their property management goals and pursue their objectives. Field experiences are integrated into the course to provide in-person, hands-on connections with the biology and management of Indiana forests. Connections made during the course and field tours introduce landowners to the foresters and other natural resource professionals who can help them with the management of their forestland.
A total of 533 family forest owners participated in either a virtual or in-person course over the past five years. For the in-person sessions, 81% of attendees indicated they would take some action in the next year because of what they learned. All (100%) participants indicated the program was useful for making decisions and taking action on the topics presented.
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