During 2022, Nebraska faced a significant year for both challenges and achievements. Our state’s forest and tree resources faced threats from our changing climate in the form of unprecedented wildfires and drought, underscoring the importance of our agency’s mission to protect, restore, and utilize.
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Introduction
"To enrich the lives of all Nebraskans by protecting, restoring, and utilizing Nebraska's tree and forest resources."
Those words carried weight this year. Nebraska’s trees and natural resources faced multiple threats and challenges through the course of 2022. The portents of global changes in climate have not skipped our state, as we witnessed unprecedented wildfires and expanding damage to green infrastructure. Communities are turning to the Nebraska Forest Service (NFS) for guidance and assistance, now more than ever before, and our staff has been steadfast in its resolve to be wherever we are needed across the state.
Together with agency partners, NFS was able to respond quickly and effectively to some of 2022’s most significant fires and help local volunteer firefighters protect their homes and neighbors. Our forest health specialist sought innovative ways to restore our tree and forest resources in the face of extreme weather behaviors, and our foresters worked to utilize the opportunities Nebraska’s forested areas present for economic development while protecting sustainability. This report elaborates on each of our mission’s three elements. There has never been a more compelling time than now for our staff to help address many of the state’s most pressing concerns. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about the issues facing our tree and forest resources, and how NFS and our many partners are leading efforts to find and create impactful solutions.
Impact Snapshots
- 134 Nebraska communities assisted through Community Forestry programs
- 753 educators trained in conservation educators
- 50 wildfire response deployments
- 31 firefighting training events with 656 attendees
- 440 acres of pine forest restoration completed
- 152 land management plans written
Credits
Editors:
Benjamin Bohall, Sandy Benson
Contributors:
Heather Borck, Aaron Clare, John Erixson, Justin Evertson, Jack Hilgert, Matt Holte, Christina Hoyt, Darla Huff, Steven Jara, Chrissy Land, Eric Moul, Doak Nickerson, Justin Nickless, Hanna Pinneo, Adam Smith, Laurie Stepanek, Rich Wollen, Lola Young, Andrew Zahn