Blogs

Forestry Hall 100 Year Celebration

The Nebraska Forest Service is celebrating the 100^th anniversary of Forestry Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus! The celebration will take place on the north side of the Nebraska East Union (next to the Heuermann Clock Tower) on Friday, September 20^th from 12-1:30 p.m. Smokey Bear will also be on hand to take part in the festivities. Complimentary UNL Dairy Store ice cream and cupcakes will be provided (first come, first serve) to celebrate the anniversary of the building and Smokey Bear’s 75^th birthday.

Nebraska Firefighters Museum celebrates the past, while looking to the future

In the front lobby of the Nebraska Firefighters Museum and Education Center in Kearney, Matt Fitzgerald smiles and greets a small family that just entered the building.

“Do you guys want some firefighter helmets?” he asks the family’s two children. Both light up with grins and nod enthusiastically.

Meet your Nebraska State Forester

Before coming to the Nebraska Forest Service (NFS), John Erixson, a Nebraska native, spent more than 20 years managing natural resources in Idaho for a private consulting firm. He holds bachelor and master's degrees in resource management from the University of Idaho. He is an active member of several regional and national organizations, including the Nebraska Riparian Task Force, National Association of State Foresters, and Western Forestry Leadership Coalition

'A garden for flutterers and flowers'

By Benjamin Bohall, Nebraska Forest Service Staff

When Angie Ratekin first moved to the Skylark Cryer neighborhood in Omaha, she had no idea she was putting down roots among kindred souls. That is, until she attended her first neighborhood association meeting.

“I went to the meeting and right away they told me, ‘Hey, we’re thinking about creating a garden in the park.’ I immediately thought, ‘I’m going to love this neighborhood.’”

But it wasn’t going to be just any old garden.

A place for eastern redcedar

If you’re interested in studying nature, you can’t do much better than Cedar Point Biological Station (CPBS).

Owned and operated by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 1974, the site serves as a field research facility and experimental classroom for UNL students and staff. Cedar Point sits on the south edge of the Sandhills and the North Platte River Valley. It’s isolated, and more importantly – full of wildlife. The perfect environment for budding biologists.

“It’s really quite beautiful,” said Jason Griffiths, UNL Associate Professor of Architecture.

Emerald ash borer confirmed in Lincoln

The emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture made the announcement on Tuesday, April 23^rd after City of Lincoln workers detected EAB galleries while removing a tree inside of city limits. This marks the sixth official sighting in the state – including Omaha, Greenwood, and Fremont. EAB has been found in 35 states and five Canadian provinces.

Returning the favor

As the old saying goes, “What goes around, comes around.”

That’s not always a bad thing. Just ask the community of Winslow, Nebraska.

A path for planting

For most people, finishing a masters’ degree is a major feat in itself. Mike Repas had just finished his third. Pair that with working a full-time job for an industrial supply company, and it was safe to say he was ready for a change of pace.

“To put it politely, I was absolutely burnt out,” Repas laughed.

What is Biochar?

Interest in biochar over the last several years has grown substantially in Nebraska. With established markets in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Southeast Asia, each year brings an uptick of producers and end-users. So what is biochar, anyway?

The business end of eastern redcedar

If you keep an ear to the ground on the health of Nebraska’s grasslands, there is no doubt you have heard about eastern redcedar. Generations of ranchers and farmers tapped redcedar for everything from fence posts to windbreaks. Yet, within the last five years, this Nebraska native has started to catch serious flak.