Sam Fuhlendorf awarded the OSU Eminent Faculty Award

Sam Fuhlendorf awarded the OSU Eminent Faculty Award

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Media Contact: Dean Ruhl | Communications & Media Relations Specialist | 405-744-9152 | [email protected]

Dr. Sam Fuhlendorf, Regents professor and Groendyke Chair in wildlife conservation in the Oklahoma State University Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management, received the Eminent Faculty Award earlier this month for his contributions to instruction and service.

"Dr. Fuhlendorf exemplifies the very best of OSU Agriculture and its land-grant mission," said Dr. Jayson Lusk, vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture. "His groundbreaking research on rangeland ecology and commitment to mentoring students have had a profound impact on agriculture and natural resource management. This recognition as an Eminent Faculty Award recipient is a testament to his leadership, innovation and dedication to advancing knowledge that benefits Oklahoma and beyond."

The Eminent Faculty Award honors one faculty member in the university system each year who has made sustained contributions to scholarly/creative activity, teaching and service, bringing honor and recognition to the university.

"It's an amazing honor," Fuhlendorf said. "I think one of the most important things it has done for me is allowed me to look backward at how I got here - mainly, how many people helped me over the years."

Fuhlendorf is a globally recognized leader in rangeland research. He developed a novel approach for rangeland management by integrating the use of fire, allowing producers to raise livestock and manage woody plant encroachment simultaneously.

This work led to the establishment of the Patchburn Grazing Working Group, a global consortium of researchers and practitioners that meets annually to discuss conservation and management.

Fuhlendorf's passion for rangelands began at an early age.

"My father and family promoted an interest in the outdoors," Fuhlendorf said. "Eventually, that translated into research. Then, I began to think about good science. I always tell people, 'I'm fortunate because I've gotten to do two of the most important concepts developed by humans: science and agriculture.'"

His work has been influential in North America for several decades. Most notably, his patch-burn grazing strategy has led to the restoration of millions of acres of rangelands for cattle production and other critical ecosystem services.

Fuhlendorf's work has led to policy changes at the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and has been adopted through several outreach efforts on other continents. His work with OSU Extension has been crucial in shifting perspectives for rangeland restoration in the Great Plains region.

"This is the newest department in this college," Fuhlendorf said of the natural resources ecology and management department. "This is exposure within the college for NREM, but also outside the college and outside the university. This is an opportunity to say we're here, and we're a part of what's going on at OSU."

Throughout his career, Fuhlendorf's research has garnered $40 million in research funding secured through grants from the USDA, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense.

At OSU, Fuhlendorf regularly teaches one undergraduate course and two graduate-level courses. He has advised as many as 25 NREM undergraduates per year and has served as the faculty advisor for the Society for Range Management Undergraduate Club.

"I think back to being a student, and I was a lot like these students we have here at OSU," Fuhlendorf said. "I can't help but think of a few classes that I just couldn't get enough of. They instilled in me a passion that led me to graduate school and ultimately down this path. I try to generate excitement and appreciation for understanding the complexities of the world in students."