OSU Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management

We are saddened to hear about the passing of John Groendyke, a dedicated supporter of Oklahoma State University and its land-grant mission.

His legacy lives on through the Groendyke Chair in Wildlife Conservation, held by Dr. Sam Fuhlendorf, which advances education and stewardship for future generations. In 2017, John was named a Champion for OSU Agriculture in recognition of his lasting impact.

In his memory, we are sharing John’s video from the 2017 OSU Ag Honors celebration.

John Groendyke - 2017 DASNR Champion The 2017 Distinguished Alumni and Champions awards recognize those ...

Hands-on Growing Season Burn Training
for Prescribed Burn Associations

July 11, 2026
Okmulgee County (exact burn location provided upon completed registration

Open To:
- PBA members across the region
- Landowners and producers interested in prescribed fire and PBAs

Registration Required:
- $20.00 fee (day of)
- Register at https://forms.office.com/r/H76SufAzuU

Training Topics Include:
- Burn planning & preparation
- Crew organization & communication
- Fire behavior & weather awareness
- Equipment use & field safety
- Coordinating & conducting a prescribed burn as a team
- Ignition & holding operations

Train in a real prescribed burn environment alongside experienced burn personnel.

For questions or addtional information contact:

Shelby Lofton, Agriculture /4-H/FRTEP Educator
Okmulgee County OSU Extension
918-756-1958
[email protected]

Michael Siegenthaler, OCCA PBA
Committee Chair
OCCA Prescribed Burn Association
918-809-8666

Join us Saturday, June 27, as we celebrate the grand opening of the Lionel K. Bentley Turfgrass Center at The Botanic Garden at OSU.

The event begins at 10 a.m. with a building dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by refreshments and tours of the new facility.

📍 3300 W. 6th Street, Stillwater
Please RSVP by June 18 to [email protected] or 405-385-0716.

🌳Dr. Ryan DeSantis of Extension Forestry Specialist discusses how Oklahoma forest are bouncing back after wildfires in March of 2025.🌲

What Happens to Land 1 Year After a Wildfire? (April 18, 2026) Wildfire recovery can be faster—and more surprising—than many expect 🔥🌱 But how much can the land really bounce back in just one year?In t...

We are hiring for TWO Land Management Technicians in both Stillwater and Perry, Oklahoma!

The deadline to apply is June 1, 2026!

Learn more and apply here: https://conservation.ok.gov/about/

The OSU Forestry Camp 1 students had an amazing Friday! They visited the state champion baldcypress tree in McCurtain County to get measurements. One of the largest trees in the state!

🎉 Celebrating our NREM students recognized at the 2026 NREM Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet!
These awards reflect not only your hard work, but the belief others have in your potential and the future you’re building.
Thank you to our donors for investing in our students, and to everyone who joined us to celebrate this community. 💚
We’re proud of you all.