Imagine a group of Indiana teachers trekking through the dense woods of Morgan-Monroe State Forest, not just learning about tree rings and wildlife habitats, but getting hands-on with the real-world dynamics of forest ecology, research, and management. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, partnering with Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, is opening applications for their 2026 Natural Resources Teacher Institute—a free, week-long immersion for 18 educators. Packed with over 30 Professional Growth Points and ready-to-use curriculum materials, this program isn’t your standard classroom PD; it’s a deep dive into the stewardship of public lands that many of us in the 2A community cherish as our hunting grounds, training areas, and family retreats.

For gun owners and Second Amendment advocates, this is more than an educational perk—it’s a strategic opportunity to inject conservation ethos into the next generation. Teachers who grasp the intricacies of sustainable forest management are primed to foster students who understand why healthy woodlands matter for deer herds, turkey populations, and the ecosystems that sustain our hunting traditions. Think about it: these educators return to classrooms equipped to counter urban narratives that paint rural lands as expendable, instead highlighting how responsible resource use aligns with self-reliance and outdoor heritage—core 2A values. In a state like Indiana, where public forests are battlegrounds for access rights amid growing recreational pressures, empowering teachers with this knowledge could build a grassroots army of young stewards who’ll defend our shooting ranges, archery lanes, and backcountry freedoms against overregulation.

The implications ripple outward: as anti-gun voices push to restrict public land use under environmental pretexts, programs like this fortify the pro-2A flank by bridging education with ecology. Apply now if you’re an Indiana teacher (spots are limited), or share this with your local educators—it’s a low-effort way to cultivate allies who’ll teach kids that forests aren’t just trees, they’re the backbone of our armed, self-sufficient way of life. Check the Indiana DNR site for details and make your move before the 2026 cohort fills up.