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TexasA&MForestServiceAdvocacyPresentationJake Donellan and Jason Keiningham

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In 1898, W. Goodrich Jones (at request of the Chief of the present day USDAFS) made a horseback survey of the virgin pine forest of East Texas.  Jones issued a bleak narrative report of his findings, titled "Texas Timber Resources." 

Why & How TFS Was Formed

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Why & How TFS Was Formed

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Why & How TFS Was Formed• After W. Goodrich Jones’ report, Division of Forestry Chief (USDA) urged him to

start a state forestry agency

• In 1914, Jones organized the Texas Forestry Association and served as the 1st

president. Sole purpose was to lobby for a state forestry agency

• Representative Burges of El Paso introduced the forestry bill in the Texas House

• It was met with a lot of opposition….especially the part of the state with commercial forest resources

• Bill passed the House during the last week of the 34th session. Senate acted quickly, passing it by 1 vote. Initial budget was $10,000

• Department of Forestry created in 1915. Texas A&M College President (Bizzell) and the Dean of Agriculture (Kyle) received funding for a Professor of Forestry. Proposed to combine the State Forester and academic positions, splitting duties equally

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TFS Background• Established in 1915

“Assume direction of all forestinterests and all matters pertaining to forestry within the jurisdiction of the state”

• First state forestry agency placed within the Land Grant System

• Agency Director is State Forester

• Appointed by TAMU Board of Regents

Thomas G. BoggusState Forester and Director

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Three Divisions… One Mission

Forest Resource  

Development

Forest Resource Protection

Finance and Administration

Service

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Where we Work

• 550 employees statewide

• HQ in College Station

• 5 State Forests

• Seedling Nursery (Idalou)

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TFS Role in TAMU Agrilife?

Teaching Research Extension Service

Texas A&M Forest Service provides statewide leadership to assure the state's trees, forests and related

natural resources are protected and sustained for the benefit of all.

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Forest Resources In Texas

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Priority Areas

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Wildfire Ignition Density

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What we Do

CONSERVE – forest resources of the state

PROTECT – life, property, and forests from harm

LEAD – conservation and emergency response efforts

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CONSERVE

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PROTECT

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LEAD

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How we Do It

Collect InformationForest Inventory and Analysis

– Status and condition of the state’s forest resource

Environmental and Forest Health– Water Resources / Ecosystem Services– Stewardship– Insect, disease, and invasive species

Fire weather, fuels, drought index– Wildfire Risk– Partner with TAMU Agrilife Spatial Sciences Laboratory

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How we Do ItBuild Capacity

Education / Outreach– Landowners, Contractors, Emergency Responders, Homeowners, General Public, Youth

Technical Assistance / Training– Site Visits– Training workshops– Research Cooperatives (Tree Improvement, Forest Pest)– Innovative Web Applications

Financial Assistance– Fire Department Assistance (Grants, Equipment, Training) – Forest Restoration (management practices, conservation easement, prescribed fire, insect and disease control)

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Education / Outreach

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Technical Assistance

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Technical Assistance

Texas Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal

Texas Forest Information Portal

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Financial Assistance

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How we Do It

Provide Leadership Leadership Life Cycle

Predict

Mitigate

Respond

Recover

Plan 

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How we Do It

Provide LeadershipCoordination

– Professional Organizations– Partnerships

Programs– TX Wildfire Protection Plan– SouthWRAP– Urban FIA – Austin– Forest Products Laboratory– Southern Forest Land Assessment / State Assessment

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Agency Highlights

• Only state agency to be designated Lead Agency in a declared Federal Incident (Space Shuttle Columbia)

• Only state forestry agency to earn the National Wildfire Leadership Committee’s “Lead by Example” award

• Many awards for fire and forest conservation efforts

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