Wildlife

The Wildlife Major prepares students for professional careers in wildlife research, management, and education. Students apply biological, ecological, economic and social knowledge to develop and administer wildlife management plans. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science and will meet the educational requirements to earn, with professional experience, certification as a Wildlife Biologist which is administered by The Wildlife Society.

Gain valuable field experience through our practicums:

What do you do?​
As wildlife biologist, you are charged with protecting and enhancing wildlife populations and habitats. You work across all ecosystems from forests and fields to urban areas. You collect data on the number and species of wi​ldlife and other organisms and the physical world, analyze food webs and food availability, estimate the impacts of changing habitat conditions, and develop and implement management plans that increase the sustainability of these communities.

For more wildlife resources including instructional extension publications and videos view: Purdue Extension - Forestry and Natural Resources and the FNR YouTube Playlist.

Opportunities

Office of the Registrar Catalog

Choose what works best for you!

The FNR Office of Student Services is open from 8 am to noon and 1 to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, except on University holidays.

Dr. Barny Dunning
Barny Dunning
Professor & Director of OSS
Phone: 765-494-3565
Email: jdunning@purdue.edu

Jackie Getzin
Jackie Getson, Interim Graduate
Program Coordinator (Current Students),
Research Associate & Outreach Coordinator
Phone: 765-496-7406
Email: jgetson@purdue.edu

Megan Gunn
Megan Gunn, Recruitment and
Outreach Specialist
Phone: 765-494-7477
Email: mlgunn@purdue.edu

Maria Leatherwood
Maria Leatherwood, Sr. Academic Advisor
Phone: 765-496-4819
Email: meleathe@purdue.edu

Charlotte Owings
Charlotte Owings, Alumni, Scholarship, Awards, and Student Career Specialist
Phone: 765-494-0425
Email: freemac@purdue.edu
Julie Pluimer
Julie Pluimer, Assistant Director
Phone: 765-494-3629
Email: jpluimer@purdue.edu

Connect With Us

See student stories, photos and videos on Instagram (@Purdue FNR), Facebook (Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources), Twitter (@PurdueFNR) and YouTube (Purdue FNR).

Instagram

See what's happening

Photos from the Costa Rica Study Abroad trip: a capuchin white-faced monkey, a strawberry poison dart frog and an American pygmy kingfisher; a selfie including many students; the volcano as seen from LaFortuna, and a beach.
FNR Students Reflect on Costa Rica Study Abroad Trip

Imagine waking up to the sounds of nature, seeing amazing sights and experiencing an incredible...

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Mike Saunders with a student on a prescribed fire; Liz Flaherty holding small mammal traps; Paris Collingsworth on a boat
Collingsworth, Flaherty and Saunders Earn Promotions

Purdue FNR congratulates three faculty members on their promotions, which were announced at the...

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Arlene Polar hiking at Croagh Patrick
Polar Challenged, Amazed by Study Abroad Experience in Ireland

Sophomore wildlife major Arlene Polar had always wanted to visit Ireland. The choice to be part...

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FNR 2022-23 Outstanding Students: Madison Kresse, Alex Dudley, Allie Johnson and Alex Early
FNR Celebrates 2022-23 Award Winners, Scholarship Recipients

Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources recognized the department’s student award and...

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Madison Kresse poses in front of a canyon
Meet FNR Outstanding Senior Madison Kresse

Meet outstanding senior Madison Kresse, an FNR Ambassador, and member of the Society of American...

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Alex Dudley with a poster from the student chapter of The Wildlife Society; Dudley holds a turtle; Dudley with friends in a wooded area near water
Meet FNR Outstanding Junior Alex Dudley

Meet Outstanding Junior Alex Dudley, a forestry and wildlife double major and a Purdue Honors...

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