All News

The Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute’s fifth cohort graduated April 10, 2025, following the completion of its final session in College Station. The leadership institute offers a constructive and inspiring learning environment, enabling opportunities for personal and professional growth by giving participants access to tools and speakers to strengthen their leadership skills. “The institute […]

Texas A&M Forest Service released its 2024 annual report, highlighting the agency’s impact. Texas A&M Forest Service is the lead agency in forest conservation and wildfire response in Texas. As a result, the agency works alongside countless communities, governments, non-profit organizations, citizens, and first responders throughout the state and country.      In times of need, […]

On March 5, 2025, Texas A&M Forest Service held the second of three funding meetings of fiscal year 2025 for the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, awarding 94 grants totaling $2.1 million.      Grants proposed at this meeting will assist VFDs across Texas in purchasing equipment such as dry hydrants, fire and rescue equipment, personal […]

Following a Texas A&M Forest Service timber theft investigation, $50,240 has been recovered to a group of Panola County landowners for unpaid timber sales.      The Panola County landowners entered a timber sale agreement with a timber harvesting company and were paid $21,167 for their timber, which they felt was a significantly low price […]

Invasive species cause many negative impacts to the Texas landscape, from the displacement of native trees to potentially killing entire species. Because of their widespread impact, Texas A&M Forest Service takes great lengths to help mitigate their impacts and is highlighting those efforts during National Invasive Species Awareness Week. Invasive species have two main characteristics: […]

Texas A&M Forest Service awarded over $951,000 to 168 landowners to conduct prescribed fires this year. This funding will treat 35,138 acres. Prescribed fire is a strategic land management tool that uses low-intensity fire on a specific area of land to achieve set goals. Prescribed fire is the most effective and efficient land management tool […]

Oak wilt is one of the deadliest tree diseases in the United States, killing millions of trees across 76 Texas counties. Texans can help prevent it from spreading by avoiding pruning or wounding oak trees from February through June.      “Prevention is key to stopping the spread of oak wilt,” said Demian Gomez, Texas A&M Forest […]

Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Forestry Association received the 2024 Blue Legacy Award – Legacy of Commitment at the Water for Texas Conference today.

Gabriel Burress, 37, of Rye, Texas, was arrested Wednesday, Jan.15, 2025, in Liberty County for Unauthorized Harvesting of Timber valued between $500 – $20,000, a state jail felony.     Burress was arrested by the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit and Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Department after a warrant was issued by Judge […]

Hughes Simpson, Texas A&M Forest Service Assistant Director, External Affairs, was presented the Public Service in Forestry Award by Texas A&M University Vice Chancellor Dr. Jeffrey Savell, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.    Simpson began his career with Texas A&M Forest Service in 2000 as a Forester in Lufkin. Since then, he has served as a Water […]