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Environmental Science Faculty
Environmental Science Faculty
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Burnell C. Fischer
Clinical Professor, and Director, Undergraduate Programs
Ph.D., Purdue University, 1974
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Professor Fischer's teaching, service, and research focuses on the
practice of forestry and urban forestry, particularly the Central
Hardwoods Region of the U.S. He also has interests in forest resources
policy including state government management. His 15 years of experience
as state forester and director of the Indiana Division of Forestry
provides a basis for both biological and policy analysis of forestry
practices. Professor Fischer's research emphasis has been on forest
stand dynamics. He served as president of the National Association
of State Foresters (2003-04) and worked with Congress, federal agencies,
and NGOs on national forestry issues. Previously, he served a three-year
term on the 15-person National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory
Committee, which advised the Secretary of Agriculture. His experiences
in urban and community forestry policy and practice provide a strong
base for introducing urban forestry to SPEA. Professor Fischer teaches
sustainable forestry and urban forest management at SPEA and provides
expertise in forest resources policy at the Workshop in Political
Theory and Policy Analysis, where he is an affiliate faculty member
and co-teaches the course in International Forestry Resources and
Institutions. He is an adjunct professor at Purdue University’s
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources.
Awards
Recent Grants Awarded
Research
2007-2009 National Science Foundation, Human and Social Dimensions
“Dynamics of Reforestation in Coupled Social-Ecological Systems:
Modeling Land-Use Decision Making and Policy Impacts.”
P.I.’s – T. Evans, K. Caylor, B. Fischer, E. Moran and
C. Tucker; Amount – $749,150.
2007-08 US Forest Service Northern Research Station, Coop. Agreement:
“Dynamics, impacts and predictive modeling of Microstegium vimineum
(Japanese stiltgrass) invasions in eastern deciduous forests. P.I.’s
K.Clay, Co-PI’s S.L. Flory, A. Shelton, D. Johnson, B.C. Fischer;
$25,133.
2006-2007 US Forest Service NEPA for the 21st Century Initiative,
Cooperative Agreement: “Comparative Analysis of NEPA Process, Organization
and Personnel” and “New Institutional Economic Analysis of the Forest
Service NEPA Responsibilities.”
PI’s K. Richards, M. Auer and B.C. Fischer; Amount – $125,798
Teaching Grants/Agreements
2007-08 Indiana University, Active Learning Grant. “Developing
a Campus Field Experience for E162 Environment and People.”
P.I.’s – B.C. Fischer, S. Corbin; Amount – $1,500.
2006-2007 Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry.
Urban Forest Conservation Fund, Special Grant “Establishing an Urban
Forestry Course at IU SPEA Bloomington.”
P.I. – B.C. Fischer; Amount – $9,475.
2006-2007 City of Bloomington, IN, Parks and Recreation Department:
“Urban Forestry Internships”
P.I. – B.C. Fischer; Amount – $5,000.
Recent Publications
Fischer, B.C. 2006. “Forest Management in the Upland Central
Hardwoods: A Suggested Status Report.” The Indiana Forester,
pp. 2-3.
Fischer, B.C. 2005. “State Trends in Forest/Wildlife Issues - An Indiana
Division of Forestry Perspective.” Purdue University Cooperative
Extension Service Bulletin, FNR – 258. p. 11.
Fischer, B.C. 2004. The Need for Alternative Institutions for
Management of Forest Land Across Boundaries in Indiana. Forest Land
Conservation: An Indiana Portfolio. Workshop presented by the
Center for the Study of Institutions, Population, Environmental Change,
Indiana University and Department of Forestry and Natural Resources,
Purdue University. Nashville, IN. 4p.
Fischer, B.C. 2004. “The Division of Forestry and The Indiana
Bat: 2004 Status.” The Woodland Steward 13(2):11.
Fischer, B.C., J. Friedrich, B. Hubbard, and T. Lyons. 2001. “Implementing
Endangered, Threatened and Rare (ETR) Species Guidelines on Non-Federal
Public Lands; A Forest Management Strategy for Myotis Sodalis on Indiana
State Forests. Abstracts.”Indiana Academy of Science,
117 Annual Meeting. p. 34.
Fischer, B.C., S.G. Pennington, and B. Tormoehlen. 1993. “Public
Involvement in Indiana Forestry.” Journal of Forestry”
91(7):28-31.
Minter, W.F. , R.K. Myers, and B.C. Fischer. 1992. “Effects
of Tree Shelters on Northern Red Oak Seedlings Planted in Harvested
Forest Openings.” Northern Journal of Applied Forestry
9(2):58-63.
George, D.W. and B.C. Fischer. 1991.“The Occurrence of Oak Reproduction
After Clearcut Harvesting on the Hoosier National Forest.” Northern
Journal of Applied Forestry 8(4):144-146.
Fischer, B.C. 1991. Intergovernmental and Public-Private Cooperation.
Proceedings, Ecosystem Management in a Dynamic Society. Purdue University,
West Lafayette, IN. p. 112-116.
Kershaw, J.A. and B.C. Fischer. (1991). “A Stand Density Management
Diagram for Sawtimber-sized Mixed Upland Central Hardwoods.”
Proceedings, Eighth Central Hardwood Forest Conference, Pennsylvania
State University, PA. p. 414-428.
Myers, R.K. and B.C. Fischer. (1991). “Black Walnut Tree Growth
in a Mixed Species , Upland Hardwood Stand in Southern Indiana.”
Proceedings, Eighth Central Hardwood Forest Conference, Pennsylvania
State University, PA. p. 388-394.