By Andi Anderson
Jarred Brooke, Extension Wildlife Specialist, was honored with a Career Achievement Award at the Fire in Eastern Oak Forests Conference held in June. The award recognizes his significant contributions to prescribed fire education, land stewardship, and natural resource management.
Brooke has played an important role in advancing prescribed fire practices throughout Indiana. Alongside his wildlife extension responsibilities, he has been actively involved in fire education, outreach, and policy development. Since 2018, he has served as chair of the Indiana Prescribed Fire Council and has worked closely with partners to support prescribed fire initiatives across the state.
Throughout his career, Brooke has organized more than 30 Learn-N-Burn programs, prescribed fire workshops, and field demonstrations. These events have helped landowners, students, and natural resource professionals gain practical knowledge about fire safety, timing, and ecological benefits. Since 2019, he has also co-instructed the undergraduate Applied Fire Ecology course, helping educate future conservation professionals.
Another key achievement was securing support from the Sam Shine Foundation to help Purdue University hire Danielle Howard, Extension Prescribed Fire Specialist. This position will strengthen outreach efforts, support prescribed burn associations, and help expand prescribed fire education programs.
Brooke was also one of the primary instructors and organizers of the Indiana Land Stewardship Leadership Academy, which celebrated the graduation of its first class this spring. His commitment to education and leadership has previously earned him the Purdue Cooperative Extension Specialists’ Association Early Career Award and the PK-12 Council’s Staff Excellence Award.
Speaking about the recognition, Brooke said, “It’s an honor to have been given the Career Achievement Award from the Fire in Eastern Oak Forests Conference. Since I don’t have enough gray hair for a career achievement award, we’ll just call it an early-career award. I have enjoyed all the prescribed fire work I’ve been able to do through my Extension role at Purdue, but this award would not have been possible without all the partners I work with on fire. From leading Learn-N-Burns and serving on the Indiana Prescribed Fire Council board to working on prescribed fire policy in the Hoosier state, it’s been a collaborative journey – and I’m looking forward to more in the future! Special thanks to Allen Pursell for presenting me with the award.”
During the awards presentation, Allen Pursell, Director of Forest Programs for the Sam Shine Foundation, Inc., highlighted Brooke’s leadership in strengthening the Indiana Prescribed Fire Council, helping establish Indiana’s Prescribed Fire Law, and securing resources for expanding prescribed fire programs.
The award recognizes Brooke’s lasting impact on fire management, conservation education, and community outreach. His work continues to support healthier ecosystems, stronger land stewardship practices, and greater awareness of prescribed fire benefits throughout Indiana.
Photo Credit: purdue-university
Categories: Indiana, Education