Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Tree Care Workshops were held at 4 locations across NE, providing information about current & emerging issues in tree selection & care, cultural issues & forest health. The workshops were held in cooperation with the NE Statewide Arboretum, Inc. & NE Arborists Association. In cooperation with the NE Statewide Arboretum, Inc., UNL Department of Agronomy & Horticulture, UN Rural Initiative & NE Community Forestry Council. NFS continued leading ReTree NE. As part of ReTree NE Week, more than 40 tree-related activities were held in 32 communities across NE. ReTree NE also participated in the NE State Fair, an annual event that drew more than 330,000 individuals in 2011. In partnership with state & federal agencies, NFS coordinated the fourth-annual NE Wildland Fire Academy, held at Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford. NFS also provided training to volunteer firefighters via additional workshops and venues. The 4-state Great Plains Initiative, coordinated by NFS, completed a massive inventory project to identify & quantify at-risk tree resources previously not inventoried. The data provided allows forestry & natural resource professionals to identify areas most at risk to invasive species, leading to informed management decisions & public policies that effectively manage the impact of invasive species. The project also generated the first assessment of the extent & condition of windbreaks across region, information of enormous importance to natural resource managers across the region. To promote awareness of EAB among natural resource professionals, GPI states distributed educational materials & gave presentations at conferences & workshops throughout the region. State & regional readiness & response plans for EAB also have been developed under GPI. A new wood-fired boiler has been installed at the NE College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis. Its primary wood source will be eastern redcedar (ERC) clearings & it will utilize approximately 1,000 tons of ERC per year. A wood boiler also operates at Chadron State College, using forest fuel treatment material for heating & cooling. NE's other wood boiler is in operation at Arbor Day Lodge. NFS also facilitated a woody biomass study with NE Public Power District to evaluate co-firing coal with wood. NFS implemented Community Threat Assessment Protocol, an initiative designed to complete GIS-based inventories of public tree resources in up to 100 communities statewide. Data will be used to develop long-term management recommendations to prepare communities for catastrophic events including invasive insects & disease, extreme weather & wildland fire potential. 3 flooding workshops were held to address unprecedented flooding along the MO River that left approximately 23,000 acres of riparian forests & community parks under water for nearly 4 months. NFS support also included targeted media efforts stressing safety and recovery efforts. PARTICIPANTS: The Nebraska Arborists Association partnered with the Nebraska Forest Service to coordinate the Tree Care Workshops. ReTree Nebraska is a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy & Horticulture and Nebraska Community Forestry Council, with support from the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association and Nebraska Arborists Association. The Great Plains Tree and Forest Invasives Initiative (Great Plains Initiative) is a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service, Kansas Forest Service, South Dakota Department of Agriculture Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry and North Dakota Forest Service, with support from the US Forest Service. The Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy is sponsored by the Nebraska Forest Service, National Weather Service, US Forest Service and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Training Division. The Forest Fuels Management Workshop was a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service, Upper Niobrara-White Natural Resources District, Panhandle Resource Conservation & Development, The Nature Conservancy, American Tree Farm System, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, U.S. Forest Service and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for the Tree Care Workshops were green industry professionals, including professional arborists, nursery personnel and parks and recreation personnel. Additionally, Tree Care Workshops are targeted toward community tree board members and city administrators. Target audiences for ReTree Nebraska are homeowners, businesses, policymakers, community organizations, the green industry and natural resource professionals. Target audiences for fire prevention brochures are individuals living in rural areas, fire departments charged with protecting those areas, hunters and campers. Target audiences for Great Plains Initiative include rural and urban landowners, policymakers, businesses, community organizations and green industry and natural resource professionals. The target audience for the NFS field foresters and TSP foresters is rural landowners. The target audience for the NFS annual report includes university administrators, community leaders, natural resource professionals, volunteer fire district chiefs, rural fire district board members, tree board members, ReTree Nebraska ambassadors and state and federal legislators. The target audience for the flooding workshop included green industry professionals and officials from impacted communities. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Tree Care Workshops drew 246 participants. The majority of these attendees were green industry professionals who work closely with 1000s of citizens and 100s of communities across the state, creating substantial multiplier effects. The knowledge provided by these day-long workshops translates into healthier, more sustainable urban forests. A network of 240 volunteer ReTree Ambassadors in 89 communities across NE are lending local energy to ReTree by promoting tree planting in their communities and educating citizens about the value of trees and forests. These individuals are also working to develop and modify local tree ordinances, develop and revitalize local tree boards, raise funds for local tree planting and care and organizing volunteers to assist with local tree planting and care projects. Ambassadors distributed 750 ReTree Nebraska brochures, 1,500 ReTree Nebraska "Eleven for 2011" publications and 2,500 ReTree Nebraska brochures and bookmarks in their communities. To date, more than 84,000 tree plantings have been reported toward ReTree Nebraska's million tree goal. There were more than 60 ReTree-related events held throughout the year. NFS provided training via the Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy and 24 additional classes, providing 470 hours of training to 860 firefighters across Nebraska. NFS also provided significant support to an additional 1,200 firefighters through Nebraska State Fire School. Compared to training in neighboring states, participating firefighters directly saved $41,000 in registration, meal and lodging fees by attending the academy. More than 27,000 fire prevention brochures were distributed throughout Nebraska, covering topics such as fire prevention on the farm and ranch, electrical fire prevention, fire safety while hunting and camping and Fire wise landscaping. Through GPI, NFS has provided information about emerald ash borer at 10 workshops, reaching an audience of 420 people. Many of these individuals are green industry and natural resource professionals who work with thousands of people in hundreds of communities each year. Additionally, educational materials were distributed to more than 1,700 people across Nebraska and 3 news releases were distributed to media outlets across Nebraska. Flooding workshops drew 57 participants, and more than 300 handouts were distributed at these and other related events. NFS service foresters reached 16,733 individuals through 176 educational events, provided direct assistance to 2,156 individuals, developed 9 stewardship plans and implemented tree planting and/or forest improvement projects on 3,648 acres.
Publications
- NFS 2010 Annual Report ReTree Nebraska 11 for 2011 ReTree Nebraska-themed football schedule ReTree Nebraska Ambassador Newsletter Community Threat Assessment Protocol brochure
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In association with the NE Statewide Arboretum, Inc. and NE Arborists Association, NFS hosted an annual series of Tree Care Workshops at locations across NE. Workshops target green industry professionals and provide cutting-edge information about current and emerging issues in community forestry and forest health, as well as tree selection and care. In cooperation with the NE Statewide Arboretum, Inc., UNL Dept of Agro & Hort, UN Rural Initiative and NE Community Forestry Council, NFS has engaged in ReTree Nebraska, a 10-year initiative to raise awareness of the value of trees, educate the public of proper tree planting and care and plant 1 million trees in NE communities by 2017. The NE Wildland Fire Academy, held annually in Crawford, offers National Wildfire coordinating Group courses ranging from basic firefighting to advanced fire behavior. This academy provides valuable, low-cost training to volunteer firefighters that they may be otherwise unable to afford. NFS also provided additional training at conferences across NE. In partnership with state forestry agencies in KS, SD and ND, and USFS, NFS is leading a regional initiative to prepare for the arrival of invasive forest pests in the northern Plains. The project completed a massive inventory project to identify and quantify at-risk tree resources not previously measured or inventoried. The result is a clear, accurate picture of forest resources across the northern Plains, allowing natural resource professionals and government officials to make informed management and policy decisions. As part of the project, state forestry officials also developed and distributed educational materials and gave educational presentations across the region, in addition to distributing information through state and regional media. The expansion of eastern redcedar in NE provides potential as a new source of wood energy and driver of rural economic development. A new wood-fired boiler was installed at the NE College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis (part of the UN system). Its primary wood source will be ERC clearings, and it will utilize approximately 1,000 tons per year. This facility joins several other woody biomass systems that are operational in NE including those at Chadron State College and Arbor Day Farm. NFS also facilitated a woody biomass study with NE Public Power District to evaluate co-firing coal with wood. The Community Tree Assessment Protocol initiative is designed to complete GIS-based inventories of public tree resources in up to 100 communities statewide. Data will be used to develop long term management recommendations to prepare communities for catastrophic events including invasive insects and disease, extreme weather and wildland fire potential. Three flooding workshops were held in 2011 to address unprecedented flooding along the Missouri river corridor that left approximately 23,000 acres of riparian forests and community river frontage parks under water for nearly four months. Extensive mortality of riparian forests is expected, with long-term implications due to woody debris entering the river. NFS efforts also included media stressing safety and recovery efforts. PARTICIPANTS: The Nebraska Arborists Association partnered with the Nebraska Forest Service to coordinate the Tree Care Workshops. ReTree Nebraska is a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy & Horticulture and Nebraska Community Forestry Council, with support from the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association and Nebraska Arborists Association. The Great Plains Tree and Forest Invasives Initiative (Great Plains Initiative) is a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service, Kansas Forest Service, South Dakota Department of Agriculture Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry and North Dakota Forest Service, with support from the US Forest Service. The Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy is sponsored by the Nebraska Forest Service, National Weather Service, US Forest Service and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Training Division. NFS partners with multiple Natural Resources Conservation Service and Natural Resources District field offices to provide technical assistance to forest landowners. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for the Tree Care Workshops were green industry professionals, including professional arborists, nursery personnel and parks and recreation personnel. Additionally, Tree Care Workshops are targeted toward community tree board members and city administrators. Target audiences for ReTree Nebraska are homeowners, businesses, policymakers, community organizations, the green industry and natural resource professionals. The target audience for NFS firefighter trainings is volunteer firefighters. Target audiences for fire prevention brochures are individuals living in rural areas, fire departments charged with protecting those areas, hunters and campers. Target audiences for Great Plains Initiative include rural and urban landowners, policymakers, businesses, community organizations and green industry and natural resource professionals. The target audience for the NFS field foresters is rural forest landowners. The target audience for NFS community forestry staff are individuals and communities across Nebraska. The target audience for NFS forest health brochures are rural and urban landowners. The target audience for the NFS annual report includes university administrators, community leaders, natural resource professionals, volunteer fire district chiefs, rural fire district board members, tree board members, ReTree Nebraska ambassadors and state and federal legislators. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Tree Care Workshops drew more than 1,200 attendees. Through various workshops and conferences, NFS provided training to more than 9,100 volunteer firefighters. A network of more than 240 volunteer ReTree Nebraska ambassadors in 89 communities across Nebraska lend local energy to the initiative by promoting tree planting and educating citizens about the value of trees and forests. Ambassadors have distributed almost 10,000 educational publications and coordinated almost 250 ReTree-related events in communities across the state. More than 150,000 fire prevention brochures have been distributed across Nebraska. More than 12,000 forest health brochures have been distributed across Nebraska. NFS field foresters have provided assistance to 17,378 landowners, resulting in 40, 264 acres being placed under stewardship plans. NFS community forestry staff have provided assistance to more than 300 of Nebraska's 503 communities. These communities represent a combined population of 2.4 million. Many of these communities have received assistance multiple times.
Publications
- Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Packet, 2008 Emerald Ash Borer Citizen Detection kit, 2008 Great Plains Initiative Fact Sheet, 2008 2007 NFS Annual Report 2008 NFS Annual Report 2009 NFS Annual Report 2010 NFS Annual Report Emerald Ash Borer Frequently Asked Questions, 2009 Bark Beetles of Pine, 2009 ReTree Nebraska 9 for 2009, 2009 ReTree Nebraska Participating Business poster, 2009 ReTree Nebraska poster, 2009 Rural Firefighter newsletter 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Fire Prevention newsletter 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 ReTree Nebraska 10 for 2010, 2010 ReTree Nebraska 11 for 2011, 2011 Abiotic Problems of Trees, 2007 Insect Pests of Broadleaf Trees, 2007 Insects Pests of Evergreen Trees, 2007 Diseases of Broadleaf Trees, 2007 Diseases of Evergreen Trees, 2007 Pine Wilt, 2007 Emerald Ash Borer, 2007 Bagworms, Webwoms and Tent Caterpillars, 2009 Grower's Guide to Woody Floral Production, 2007 NFS Wildland Fire Protection Program, 2007 Fire Prevention on the Farm and Ranch, 2007 Country Living at Its Best, 2007 It's the Little Things That Count, 2007 Building a Top Screen for a Burning Barrell, 2007 Preventing Fire on Your Farm, 2007 Don't Let Fire Reap Its Harvest, 2007 Preventing Farm Equipment Fires, 2007 Responsibilities of the Rural Fire Protection District Board of Directors, 2007 Fire Protection Master Planning, 2007 NFS Federal Excess Personal Property, 2007 Hunters & Anglers Need Fire Prevention Too, 2007 Campers Need Fire Prevention Too, 2007 Electrical Fire Prevention, 2007 Fireworks in the Country, 2007 Your Christmas Tree, 2007 Community Wildfire Protection Plans, 2007 NFS Fuels Reduction Program, 2007 Community Threat Assessment Program, 2011 Mountain Pine Beetle, 2011 Chlorosis of Trees in Eastern Nebraska, 2011 Chlorosis of Trees in Central and Western Nebraska, 2011
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In partnership with state and federal agencies, the Nebraska Forest Service (NFS) coordinated the third-annual Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy, held in Crawford, Nebraska. The academy offered eight National Wildfire Coordinating Group courses including basic firefighting, advanced fire behavior, aircraft operations and fire prevention. NFS also provided training via 27 additional classes throughout the year, including established training venues at the Nebraska State Fire School, Les Lukert Winter Conference and Central Nebraska Mutual Aid Association Fire School. In 2010, NFS developed the Tree Pest Detector Program, designed to train volunteers in detecting emerald ash borer (EAB) and thousand cankers disease of black walnut. Training sessions were held in six locations across Nebraska. In 2010, Tree Care Workshops were held at six locations across Nebraska and provided information about current and emerging issues in forest health, as well as cutting-edge information about tree selection and care. Offered in cooperation with the Nebraska Arborists Association, the workshops are developed specifically for public works employees, landscape managers, tree board volunteers, arborists, nursery professionals and others in the green industry.
Participants can earn Continuing Education Units from the International Society of Arboriculture and Nebraska Arborists Association for attending the workshops. NFS, together with partners, is engaging in ReTree Nebraska, a 10-year initiative to raise awareness of the value of trees, educate the public of proper tree planting and care practices and plant 1 million trees in Nebraska communities by 2017. A network of 240 volunteer ambassadors in 89 communities across Nebraska are promoting tree planting in their communities and educating citizens about the value of trees and forests. There were 100 ReTree-related events held throughout the year, and ReTree Nebraska also co-organized a Grower's Roundtable attended by 75 various green industry professionals. PARTICIPANTS: The Nebraska Arborists Association partnerd with NFS to coordinate the Tree Care Workshops. ReTree Nebraska is a cooperative effort of NFS, the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and Nebraska Community Forestry Council, with support form the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association and Nebraska Arborists Association. The Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy is sponsored by NFS, National Weather Service, US Forest Service and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Training Division. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for the Tree Care Workshops were green industry professionals, including professional arborists, nursery personnel and parks and recreational persionnel. Tree Care Workshops are also targeted toward community tree board members and city administrators. ReTree Nebraska's efforts are targeted toward homeowners, businesses, policymakers, community organizations, the green industry and natural resources professionals. The target audience for Tree Pest Detector trainings is green industry professionals, natural resources professionals or individuals with an interest in the field. The target audience for the Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy and other fire-related events is volunteer firefighters. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy provided valuable, low-cost training to almost 200 firefighters. When compared to training available in neighboring states, participating firefighters directly saved $40,000 in registration, meal and lodging fees by attending the academy. NFS provided an additional 400 hours of training to nearly 1,000 firefighters across Nebraska and provided significant support to an additional 1,200 firefighters through Nebraska State Fire School. NFS's Tree Pest Detector Network training sessions drew 80 participants from 40 communities. To date, these volunteers have contributed 562 hours (valued at $10,343) conducting surveys at 321 sites in 33 counties across Nebraska. ReTree Ambassadors have distributed 500 ReTree Nebraska brochures, 1000 ReTree Nebraska 10 for 2010 publications, 250 ReTree Nebraska posters and 800 preferred species nursery hang tags in their communities and 75 ReTree Nebraska Participating Business posters were distributed to 32 businesses. To date more than 84,000 tree plantings have been reported toward ReTree Nebraska's million tree goal. These trees, when mature, will provide $15.5 million in benefits to homeowners and communities.
Publications
- ReTree Nebraska 10 for 2010
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Tree Care Workshops were held at 4 locations across Nebraska & provided information about current & emerging issues in forest health, as well as cutting-edge information about tree selection & care. This year's theme was "Preparedness for the Community Forest." NFS is engaging in ReTree Nebraska, a 10-year initiative to raise awareness of the value of trees, educate the public of proper tree planting & care practices & plant 1 million trees in Nebraska communities by 2017. As part of the initiative, NFS developed a publication titled "ReTree Nebraska 9 for 2009" that showcases 9 species that grow well in Nebraska but aren't widely planted. The goal of this publication is to promote species diversity in community & residential landscapes across the state. NFS also developed 2 promotional posters. In partnership with state & federal agencies, NFS coordinated the second-annual Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy, held in Crawford, Nebraska. The academy offered 4 National Wildfire Coordinating Group courses ranging from basic firefighting to more advanced fire behavior. This academy provided valuable, low-cost training to volunteer firefighters. NFS also provided training via 14 additional classes throughout the year, as well as the Nebraska State Fire School, Les Lukert Winter Conference & Central Nebraska Mutual Aid Association Fire School. These trainings provided valuable information to firefighters that will increase their capacity for fighting wildland fires & protecting lives & property across Nebraska. In partnership with state forestry agencies in KS, SD & ND, as well as the USFS, NFS is leading a regional initiative to prepare for the arrival of emerald ash borer, a highly invasive exotic insect that attacks and kills all native species of ash trees. The Great Plains Tree and Forests Invasives Initiative (GPI) includes 4 components: resource assessments; education & outreach; monitoring & detection; & marketing and utilization. Through an innovative partnership with the NRCS, NFS is able to increase its capacity to provide forestry-related technical assistance to rural landowners by funding 4 technical service provider (TSP) forester positions at strategic NRCS field offices across the state. Both NFS district foresters & TSP foresters provide technical assistance to rural landowners, with TSP foresters focusing primarily on Farm Bill programs. NFS sponsored a Forest Fuels Management Workshop in Chadron, Nebraska, in cooperation with the Upper Niobrara-White NRD, Panhandle RC&D, Nature Conservancy, American Tree Farm System, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, USFS and UNL Extension. The workshop was held to provide rural landowners with information about the importance of fuels management practices. The workshop included field visits, classroom instruction & equipment demonstrations. NFS developed a mountain pine beetle brochure to educate readers about the threat of mountain pine beetle to Nebraska's coniferous forests (which are also Nebraska's most fire-prone forests) & options for treating and managing mountain pine beetle infestations. PARTICIPANTS: The Nebraska Arborists Association partnered with the Nebraska Forest Service to coordinate the Tree Care Workshops. ReTree Nebraska is a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy & Horticulture and Nebraska Community Forestry Council, with support from the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association and Nebraska Arborists Association. The Great Plains Tree and Forest Invasives Initiative (Great Plains Initiative) is a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service, Kansas Forest Service, South Dakota Department of Agriculture Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry and North Dakota Forest Service, with support from the US Forest Service. The Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy is sponsored by the Nebraska Forest Service, National Weather Service, US Forest Service and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Training Division. The Forest Fuels Management Workshop was a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service, Upper Niobrara-White Natural Resources District, Panhandle Resource Conservation & Development, The Nature Conservancy, American Tree Farm System, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, U.S. Forest Service and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for the Tree Care Workshops were green industry professionals, including professional arborists, nursery personnel and parks and recreation personnel. Additionally, Tree Care Workshops are targeted toward community tree board members and city administrators. Target audiences for ReTree Nebraska are homeowners, businesses, policymakers, community organizations, the green industry and natural resource professionals. Target audiences for fire prevention brochures are individuals living in rural areas, fire departments charged with protecting those areas, hunters and campers. Target audiences for Great Plains Initiative include rural and urban landowners, policymakers, businesses, community organizations and green industry and natural resource professionals. The target audience for the NFS field foresters and TSP foresters is rural landowners. The target audience for the NFS Forest Fuels Management Workshop is forest landowners. The target audience for NFS forest health brochures are rural and urban landowners. The target audience for the NFS annual report includes university administrators, community leaders, natural resource professionals, volunteer fire district chiefs, rural fire district board members, tree board members, ReTree Nebraska ambassadors and state and federal legislators. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Tree Care Workshops drew 228 participants. The majority of these attendees were green industry professionals who work closely with 1000s of citizens and 100s of communities across the statetranslating into healthier, more sustainable urban forests. 240 volunteer ambassadors in 89 NE communities are lending local energy to ReTree Nebraska by promoting tree planting in their communities & educating citizens about the value of trees & forests. These individuals are also working to develop/modify local tree ordinances, develop/revitalize local tree boards, raise funds for local tree planting & care & organizing volunteers. Ambassadors distributed 700 ReTree Nebraska brochures, 250 ReTree Nebraska 9 for 2009 publications and 250 ReTree Nebraska posters in their communities. 75 ReTree Nebraska Participating Business posters were distributed to 24 businesses. To date more than 80,000 tree plantings have been reported. There were 84 ReTree-related events held throughout the year. ReTree Nebraska also offered a root health workshop in 3 locations across the state that drew 49 green industry professionals. Through workshops, NFS provided almost 400 hours of training to more than 500 NE firefighters, as well as to an additional 2,000 firefighters through NE State Fire School, Les Lukert Winter Conference & Central NE Mutual Aid Association Fire School. Through GPI, NFS has provided information about emerald ash borer at 10 workshops, reaching an audience of 420 people. Many of these individuals are green industry & natural resource professionals who work with 1000s of people in 100s of communities each year. Additionally, educational materials were distributed to more than 1,700 people across NE & 3 news releases were distributed to media outlets across NE. As part of the initiative, NFS also worked with the USFS to develop a methodology for surveying the state's tree and forest resources. Using this methodology, NFS surveyed 173 rural plots across NE to develop a clear picture of the state's rural tree resource. This information will allow forestry and natural resource professionals to make highly informed management decisions about emerald ash borer & other invasive species, as well as to determine best management practices for our state's existing forest resources & quantify the value provided to Nebraska by its tree and forest resources. More than 30,000 fire prevention brochures were distributed throughout NE. These brochures covered topics such as fire prevention on the farm & ranch, electrical fire prevention, fire safety while hunting & camping & Fire wise landscaping. NFS service foresters reached 3,395 individuals through 90 educational events, provided direct assistance to 3,331 individuals, developed 38 stewardship plans & implemented tree planting and/or forest improvement projects on 2,056 acres. NFS Forest Fuels Management Workshop drew almost 55 attendees, primarily forest landowners and natural resource professionals who work with forest landowners & provided them with information they need to implement sound forest fuels management practices on their land or to help rural landowners implement sound forest fuels management practices.
Publications
- Emerald Ash Borer Frequently Asked Questions Bark Beetles of Pine Including Mountain Pine Beetle, Red Turpentine Beetle and Ips Beetles Nebraska Forest Service Annual Report ReTree Nebraska 9 for 2009 ReTree Nebraska poster ReTree Nebraska Participating Business poster Rural Firefighter
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Four Tree Care Workshops provided information about current and emerging issues in forest health and tree selection and care. Session topics included community readiness planning; tree identification and selection alternatives; pests of broadleaf trees; management alternatives for emerald ash borer (EAB); and promotion, politics and policies for the urban forest. Working with university and green industry partners, the Nebraska Forest Service (NFS) is engaging in a 10-year initiative to raise awareness of the value of trees, educate the public of proper tree planting and care practices and plant 1 million trees in Nebraska communities by 2017. Wild Fruit & Nut Jam showcased Nebraska's growing specialty forest product industry. A variety of Nebraska vendors sold jams, jellies, baked goods, handmade crafts, handmade jewelry, turned wood items, furniture, fruits, vegetables and other specialty items. Educational workshops throughout the day covered topics such as tree planting, creative beadwork, cooking with fruits and nuts, woody floral production, nut production and designing with woody florals. In partnership with state and federal agencies, NFS coordinated the first-annual Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy, held in Crawford, Nebraska. The academy offered four National Wildfire Coordinating Group courses ranging from basic firefighting to more advanced fire behavior. This academy provided valuable, low-cost training to volunteer firefighters. In partnership with state forestry agencies in Kansas, South Dakota and North Dakota, as well as the US Forest Service, NFS is leading a regional initiative to prepare for the arrival of EAB, a highly invasive exotic insect that attacks and kills all native species of ash trees. This initiative, the Great Plains Tree and Forests Invasives Initiative, includes four components: resource assessments; education and outreach; monitoring and detection; and marketing and utilization. Through an innovative partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, NFS is able to increase its capacity to provide forestry-related technical assistance to rural landowners by funding four technical service provider (TSP) forester positions at strategic NRCS field offices across the state. Both NFS district foresters and TSP foresters provide technical assistance to rural landowners, with TSP foresters focusing primarily on Farm Bill programs. NFS sponsored a Forest Fuels Management Workshop, in cooperation with the Lower Niobrara Natural Resources District, Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District, Niobrara Council, North Central Resource Conservation & Development, The Nature Conservancy and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. The workshop was held to provide rural landowners with information about the importance of fuels management practices. The workshop included field visits, classroom instruction and equipment demonstrations. NFS developed a fuels treatment brochure to education readers about the importance of fuels treatment practices and the role of fuels treatment in healthy forest management. PARTICIPANTS: The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and Nebraska Arborists Association partnered with the Nebraska Forest Service to coordinate Tree Care Workshops. Wild Fruit & Nut Jam is a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. ReTree Nebraska is a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy & Horticulture and Nebraska Community Forestry Council, with support from the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association and Nebraska Arborists Association. The Great Plains Tree and Forest Invasives Initiative (Great Plains Initiative) is a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service, Kansas Forest Service, South Dakota Department of Agriculture Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry and North Dakota Forest Service, with support from the US Forest Service. The Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy is sponsored by the Nebraska Forest Service, National Weather Service, US Forest Service and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Training Division. The Forest Fuels Management Workshop was a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service, Lower Niobrara Natural Resources District, Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District, Niobrara Council, North Central Resource Conservation & Development, The Nature Conservancy and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for the Tree Care Workshops were green industry professionals, including professional arborists, nursery personnel and parks and recreation personnel. Additionally, Tree Care Workshops are targeted toward community tree board members and city administrators. Target audiences for ReTree Nebraska are homeowners, businesses, policymakers, community organizations, the green industry and natural resource professionals. Target audiences for fire prevention brochures are individuals living in rural areas, fire departments charged with protecting those areas, hunters and campers. Target audiences for Great Plains Initiative include rural and urban landowners, policymakers, businesses, community organizations and green industry and natural resource professionals. The target audience for the NFS field foresters and TSP foresters is rural landowners. The target audience for the NFS Forest Fuels Management Workshop is forest landowners. The target audience for the NFS fuels treatment brochure in forest landowners. The target audience for NFS forest health brochures are rural and urban landowners. The target audience for the NFS annual report includes administrators, community leaders, natural resource professionals and state and federal legislators. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Tree Care Workshops drew 228 participants. The majority were green industry professionals who work closely with thousands of citizens and hundreds of communities across the state. These day-long workshops translate into healthier, more sustainable urban forests. Approximately 200 volunteer ambassadors in 80 Nebraska communities are supporting ReTree Nebraska by promoting tree planting in their communities and educating citizens about the value of trees and forests. To date almost 9,000 plantings have been reported to ReTree Nebraska. Wild Fruit & Nut Jam drew more than 2,500 attendees and showcased Nebraska's rapidly expanding specialty forest product industry. The first-annual Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy drew 176 volunteer firefighters from 14 rural fire departments and provided valuable training to firefighters that increases their capacity for fighting wildland fires and protecting lives and property across Nebraska. Through the Great Plains Initiative, NFS has provided information about EAB at 34 workshops, reaching an audience of 850 people, mostly green industry and natural resource professionals who work with thousands of people in hundreds of communities each year. Educational materials, including an EAB awareness packet, EAB detection kit and EAB brochure, were distributed to 4,225 people across Nebraska. As part of the initiative, NFS also worked with the US Forest Service to develop a methodology for surveying the state's tree and forest resources. NFS surveyed 200 rural and 200 urban plots across Nebraska, capturing a clear picture of our state's tree resource. This information will allow forestry and natural resource professionals to make highly informed management decisions about EAB and other invasive species, determine best management practices for our state's existing forest resources and quantify the value provided to Nebraska by its tree and forest resources. More than 30,000 fire prevention brochures, covering topics such as fire prevention on the farm and ranch, electrical fire prevention, fire safety while hunting and camping and Fire wise landscaping were distributed throughout Nebraska. NFS foresters and TSP foresters participated in 102 educational events, trained 11 landowners to develop stewardship plans, provided direct assistance to 2,644 individuals, provided indirect assistance to 2,000 individuals, developed 31 stewardship plans, worked with 185 landowners who implemented at least one new forestry management practices and impacted almost 1,000 acres. More than 8,000 forest health brochures were distributed across the state. The NFS Forest Fuels Management Workshop drew almost 100 attendees, primarily forest landowners and natural resource professionals who work with forest landowners, and provided them with information they need to implement sound forest fuels management practices on their land or to help rural landowners implement sound forest fuels management practices. Approximately 150 NFS forest fuels treatment brochures were distributed at the Nebraska Ranch Expo, NFS Forest Fuels Management Workshop and via visits with forest landowners. More than 1000 NFS annual reports were distributed.
Publications
- Emerald Ash Borer awareness packet 2008 Emerald Ash Borer Citizen Detection kit 2008 Great Plains Initiative Fact Sheet 2008 Nebraska Forest Service Annual Report 2008
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The 2007 Tree Care Workshops were held at six locations across the state and provide information on current and emerging issues in forest health, as well as cutting-edge information about tree selection and care. This year's workshops focused on tree care after disasters, such as wildland fire and ice storms. In cooperation with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, University of Nebraska Rural Initiative and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy & Horticulture and with the support of the green industry and community ReTree Nebraska Ambassadors, NFS launched ReTree Nebraska, a 10-year initiative to raise awareness of the value of trees, educate the public of proper tree planting and care practices and plant 1 million trees in Nebraska communities by 2017. Continued working with Nebraska Woody Florals, an NFS-sponsored cooperative of woody floral growers, to evaluate woody floral production systems in Nebraska. A Woody Floral Field Day, held in November 2006,
provided hands-on instruction in harvesting and processing woody floral stems. A Riparian Management Workshop held near North Platte in July 2007 provided field demonstrations and workshop instruction about managing invasive species, such as Russian olive and eastern redcedar, in riparian areas.
PARTICIPANTS: The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and Nebraska Arborists Association partnered with the Nebraska Forest Service to coordinate the 2007 Tree Care Workshops. ReTree Nebraska is a cooperative effort of the Nebraska Forest Service, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, University of Nebraska Rural Initiative and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, with the support of the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association and Nebraska Arborists Association.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for the 2007 Tree Care Workshops were green industry professionals, including professional arborists, nursery personnel, and parks and recreation personnel, as well as community tree board members and city administrators. Target audiences for ReTree Nebraska are homeowners, businesses, policymakers, community organizations and the green industry. The target audiences for Firewise publications are individuals living in rural areas, particularly in the wildland-urban interface, and fire departments charged with protecting thesea areas. The target audience for the woody floral publication are individuals interested in developing woody floral production systems. The target audience for the Riparian Management workshop was landowners who could use the information to make informed decisions about managing invasive species on their own land. The target audience for the Woody Floral Field Day was individuals who are interested in developing their own woody
floral production systems.
Impacts
The 2007 Tree Care Workshops drew 262 participants. The majority of attendees are green industry professionals who work closely with thousands of citizens and hundreds of communities across the state, generating substantial multiplier effects. These day-long workshops translate into healthy, more sustainable urban forests. At a series of six statewide workshops, 130 individuals from 60 communities committed to being ReTree Nebraska Ambassadors. These individuals will work at the local level to promote tree plantings, educate citizens of proper tree planting and care, develop and modify local tree ordinances, develop and revitalize local tree boards, raise funds for local tree planting and care and organize volunteers for local tree planting and care projects. Completed six years of data collection in cooperation with Nebraska Woody Florals. This data will promote rural economic development by serving as a resource for entrepreneurs interested in developing viable woody
floral production systems in Nebraska. The Woody Floral Field Day was attended by 40 individuals who learned the proper techniques for harvesting and processing decorative woody floral stems. The Riparian Management Workshop was attended by 89 individuals who were provided with cutting-edge, scientific and technical information about managing invasive species in riparian areas. These attendees, who were primarily landowners, will be able to use this information when making management decisions about their own land. More than 35,00 fire prevention brochures were distributed throughout Nebraska in 2007. These publications will educate individuals about the importance of fire prevention activities and Firewise activities.
Publications
- A Growers Guide to Producing Woody Floral Stems (2007)
- Building a Top Screen For a Burning Barrel (2007)
- Campers Need Fire Prevention Too! (2007)
- Country Living at its Best (2007)
- Don't Let Fire Reap its Harvest (2007)
- Electrical Fire Prevention on the Farm & Ranch (2007)
- Fire Prevention is Easy...It's the Little Things That Count (2007)
- Fire Prevention on the Farm & Ranch (2007)
- Fireworks in the Country (2007)
- Hunters & Anglers Need Fire Prevention Too! (2007)
- Preventing Farm Equipment Fires (2007)
- Preventing Fire On Your Farm (2007)
- Sprinklers Are For More Than Just Your Yard (2007)
- Your Christmas Tree (2007)
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