Texas A&M Forest Service Advocacy Presentationagrilifecdn.tamu.edu/leaders/.../01/...TFS-09-2014.pdf · 9/18/2014 5 TFS Background • Established in 1915 “Assume direction of all

9/18/2014 1

Texas A&M Forest Service Advocacy PresentationHughes Simpson and Don Hannemann

9/18/2014 2

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

9/18/2014 3

Why & How TFS Was Formed

9/18/2014 4

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

9/18/2014 5

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

9/18/2014 6

Three Divisions… One Mission

Forest Resource

Development

Forest Resource

ProtectionFinance and

Administration

Service

9/18/2014 7

Where we Work

• 550 employees statewide

• HQ in College Station

• 5 State Forests

• Seedling Nursery (Idalou)

9/18/2014 8

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.

9/18/2014 9

Forest Resources In Texas

9/18/2014 10

Priority Areas

9/18/2014 11

Wildfire Ignition Density

9/18/2014 12

What we Do

CONSERVE – forest resources of the state

PROTECT – life, property, and forests from harm

LEAD – conservation and emergency response efforts

9/18/2014 13

CONSERVE

9/18/2014 14

PROTECT

9/18/2014 15

LEAD

9/18/2014 16

How we Do It

Collect Information

Forest 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

9/18/2014 17

9/18/2014 18

How we Do It

Build 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)

9/18/2014 19

Education / Outreach

9/18/2014 20

Technical Assistance

9/18/2014 21

Technical Assistance

Texas Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal

Texas Forest Information Portal

9/18/2014 22

Financial Assistance

9/18/2014 23

How we Do It

Provide Leadership Leadership Life Cycle

Predict

Mitigate

Respond

Recover

Plan

9/18/2014 24

How we Do It

Provide Leadership

Coordination– Professional Organizations

– Partnerships

Programs– TX Wildfire Protection Plan

– SouthWRAP

– Urban FIA – Austin

– Forest Products Laboratory

– Southern Forest Land Assessment / State Assessment

9/18/2014 25

9/18/2014 26

9/18/2014 27

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

9/18/2014 28