Research Properties

Richard G. Lugar Forestry Farm property, stream in forest.

The mission of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is to develop and disseminate knowledge in the natural resource sciences associated with the protection, management, and sustainable use of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These ecosystems contain a variety of resources, including fish and wildlife, outdoor recreational opportunities, timber, and water. One way the department accomplishes our mission is by owning and managing properties located throughout the state to provide opportunities for research, extension, and education that achieves sustainable use of our natural resources.

Purdue University’s forests are located throughout the state of Indiana to ensure that many of the forestregions are represented and available for long-term research and education opportunities. These forests provide continuous information on how forests change over time through the periodic collection of Continuous Forest Inventory (CFI) data. This data allows assessment of forest change in relation to succession, disturbance, and disease. The harvesting of timber has been used to mimic natural disturbances to change the size and age structure, plant species distribution, wildlife habitat, aesthetic appeal, and the future of the forest. It provides a tool for forest manipulation to allow research and education on forest change. The forest properties controlled by the Forestry and Natural Resources Department of Purdue University provide many of the conditions found throughout Indiana to provide an understanding of the sustainability of harvesting timber and its effects on forests over time.

Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Research Properties IMPORTANT: For those who use any of the FNR properties. Please fill out FNR Property Request if you plan on conducting research, teach outdoor labs, or hold extension events on any FNR property

For Safety Information check out the resources available to  faculty, staff and students. Use the following form and have the recommendations with you as you conduct your field research:
FNR Properties Field Emergency Information
FNR Field Research Safety Planning Form

FNR Field Safety Recommendations

UAV PILOTS: Please fill out FNR UAV Flight Operations Request Form 24 hours before each daily planned flights. Property manager will ONLY contact you if there is a known conflict otherwise proceed with flight as planned.

*Click image to view properties acres.

Herrmann Reserve and Tract large grass area.
Herrmann Reserve and Herrmann Tract
Herrmann Reserve and Tract large grass area.
Herrmann Reserve and Herrmann Tract

Nelson-Stokes-Lewman property map closeup.
Nelson-Stokes-Lewman
Forest covered in leaves in the fall.
Northeast Purdue Ag Center
Nelson-Stokes-Lewman property map closeup.
Nelson-Stokes-Lewman

Forest covered in leaves in the fall.
Northeast Purdue Ag Center

House at Palmer Research Center for Aquatic Resources.
Palmer Research Center for Aquatic Resources
Pinney Purdue Ag Center forest.
Pinney Purdue Ag Center (PPAC)
Purdue Wildlife Area grass smoking.
Purdue Wildlife Area
House at Palmer Research Center for Aquatic Resources.
Palmer Research Center for Aquatic Resources

Pinney Purdue Ag Center forest.
Pinney Purdue Ag Center (PPAC)

Purdue Wildlife Area grass smoking.
Purdue Wildlife Area

Man walking on Richard G. Lugar Forestry Farm.
Richard G. Lugar Forestry Farm
Southeast - Purdue Ag Center (SEPAC)
Southeast - Purdue Ag Center
Group gathered in the forest of Southern Indiana Purdue Ag Center.
Southern Indiana Purdue Ag Center (SIPAC)
Man walking on Richard G. Lugar Forestry Farm.
Richard G. Lugar Forestry Farm

Southeast - Purdue Ag Center (SEPAC)
Southeast - Purdue Ag Center

Group gathered in the forest of Southern Indiana Purdue Ag Center.
Southern Indiana Purdue Ag Center (SIPAC)

Trees close up at Throckmorton/Meigs Purdue Ag Center.
Throckmorton/Meigs Purdue Ag Center
Trees close up at Throckmorton/Meigs Purdue Ag Center.
Throckmorton/Meigs Purdue Ag Center

Property & Research Information

Woodlands Management Committee

  • Michael Saunders, Assistant Professor​, Committee Chair
  • Brian Beheler, Farm Manager
  • Jarred Brooke, Wildlife Extension Specialist
  • Don Carlson, Forester
  • Anna Conrad, Adjunct Assistant Professor
  • Lenny Farlee, Sustaining Hardwood Extension Specialist
  • Matt Ginzel, Professor Entomology
  • Douglass Jacobs, Professor
  • Brian MacGowan, Wildlife Extension Specialist
  • Ron Rathfon, Regional Extension Forester SIPAC
  • Rod Williams, Associate Head for Extension, Associate Professor

Learn More About Our Research

View our nine research areas along with our world-class faculty, Research Areas.

Purdue centers seek to support and enhance the research and partnership enterprise at Purdue University. The centers are valued and encouraged at Purdue as they create a venue for faculty to come together to pursue common goals. Forestry and Natural Resources have faculty and staff involved in six centers here at the University.

The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources maintains an impressive collection of state-of-the-art research and education facilities. These labs, green houses, and educational facilities are a fundamental component that enables our faculty and students to learn, make new discoveries, and engage our clients in using these discoveries to sustain our nation’s ecosystems and natural resources.​