Herber Focuses on the Bigger Picture

Alumni: Lisa Herber
Degree: BS Forestry

Graduation: 1998

Business Title: Grants Coordinator

Business: IDNR, Division of Outdoor Recreation

My career path has taken many turns over the decades since I graduated from Purdue with a BS in Forestry and majoring in Wildlife Management. I started out in landscaping; did a stint as a utility and urban forester in northern IN; was a supervisor and manager for an environmental consulting firm for environmental permitting, restoration and natural resource mitigation projects in IN, MI, IL and OH; managed road projects and staff for environmental permitting and ecology across half of Indiana, and am currently managing state and federal grants for outdoor recreation projects throughout Indiana with the IDNR Division of Outdoor Recreation.

Although my goals were very different when I started (I thought I would be working with and managing individual species) the broad education from my degree allowed me to branch into many areas to develop a wide range of skills and experience. This has enabled me to stay working in the field I love, with a few stretches, and active in managing and maintaining natural resources in the state.

Protecting and maintaining habitat is key in Indiana for the health and survival of our native species - flora and fauna. Any position I have worked in I have tried to focus on the broader picture instead of wishing for a narrower, specific role. It has helped me keep perspective on doing what I love and allowed me access to a broader career.

Alumni Stories Alumni Awards Research Areas

Graduate Opportunities Connect Give a Gift

Featured Stories

Trent Osmon speaks to a group of students in the forest

Trent Osmon Named 2023 FNR Distinguished Alumnus

Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources is proud to honor Trent Osmon with its 2023 FNR...

FNR Names Dave Case as 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources is proud to name Dave Case as its 2023 FNR Lifetime...

Mikaela Agresta spraying invasive species with a UTV sprayer.

FNR Field Report: Mikaela Agresta

Mikaela Agresta, who completed her degree in forestry with a minor in wildlife science in May...

Purdue ASEC to Recognize Distinguished Alumni September 15

Abigail Borron, Aaron McKim, and Travis Park to receive ASEC Distinguished Alumni awards.

Shedd Aquarium research biologist Austin Happel with Purdue master's student Luke McGill holding acoustic sensors for a fish tracking project

Alumnus Austin Happel Turns Curiosity about Fish, Pet Store Job into Career at Shedd Aquarium

Growing up in Huntertown, Indiana, Austin Happel could often be found playing in the woods and a...

Representatives from Purdue FNR and Bartlett Tree Company with the donated chipper. From left to right: Liz Jackson, Liz Flaherty, Brian Beheler, Forest Summerfield and Ben McCallister from FNR and Scott Jamieson, Sean Rock, Kyle Armstrong and Zach Nemeth from Bartlett

Bartlett Tree Experts Donates Chipper to Urban Forestry Program

Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources has added a chipper to its list of machinery available for...