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Hughes Simpson, Texas A&M Forest Service Assistant Director, External Affairs, received the Laurence C. Walker Distinguished Service to Forestry Award at the Western Gulf States Society of American Foresters meeting in Bossier City, Louisiana. Simpson, a graduate of Clemson University, began his career with Texas A&M Forest Service in 2000 as a Forester in Lufkin […]

Troy Poe, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Coordinator, was sworn in as a Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement additional duty officer today. As an additional duty officer, Poe will assist in investigating Texas wildfires, predominantly in South Texas. Poe will also continue his full-time role as a Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Coordinator in […]

Texas A&M Forest Service is now accepting applications for the Watershed Protection Plan Implementation grant, aiding communities in implementing active watershed protection plans. The grant will support up to 15 grants over five years to implement tree and forestry components of watershed protection plans previously approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or the […]

As dove season begins in Texas, it’s important for hunters to remain alert and take proactive steps to prevent wildfires. Pockets of dry vegetation remain in areas where recent rainfall has been limited, including the Rolling Plains, Eastern Hill Country, South Texas and Lower Gulf Coast. In late August and early September, these areas could […]

Following recent reports of timber theft in Lamar County, Texas A&M Forest Service and the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office urge landowners to be vigilant and report any suspicious timber harvesting. Individuals in Lamar County have allegedly approached multiple landowners, verbally requesting permission to harvest trees on their property. After receiving permission, these individuals allegedly harvested […]

Hood and Somervell counties officially signed and adopted a joint Community Wildfire Protection Plan July 29, 2025, aimed at reducing wildfire risk and enhancing public safety. A Community Wildfire Protection Plan is a proven framework for helping communities prepare for and mitigate wildfire threats. The Hood and Somervell Counties Joint Community Wildfire Protection Plan outlines […]

Texas A&M Forest Service and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative launched an online forestry education course—Forest Literacy: Understanding the Values of Trees, Forests and Sustainability. The online course is designed to provide access to forest and natural resource concepts to all formal and informal educators, academic administrators, natural resource personnel and others who engage in public […]

Landowners and municipalities in 33 Central Texas counties are eligible to apply for cost-share reimbursement for wildfire mitigation practices through the Mechanical Fuel Reduction Grant from Aug. 1 to Sept. 12, 2025. The grant aims to reduce the risk of home loss to wildfire in Central Texas by using fuel reduction practices including hand-cut and […]

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Jack, Navarro, Somervell, Bell and Rockwall counties. Bell County’s confirmation makes it the southernmost confirmed location of EAB in the nation. First confirmed in Texas in 2016, EAB has spread to 31 counties statewide. In 2024, EAB was confirmed in five new […]

As Texans prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, Texas A&M Forest Service urges everyone to use caution with outdoor activities that could ignite a wildfire. “Wildfire potential is not expected to be high across Texas this Fourth of July weekend,” said Luke Kanclerz, Predictive Services Department Head. “Widespread rainfall in May and early June […]