Nebraska Forest Service

09/03/2026

Did you know that having trees on a property can increase a home’s value by 3-15%? Or that 80 million Americans get their clean drinking water from national forests?
Nebraska has nearly 1.3 million acres of timberland and while beautiful, these forests have immense value beyond aesthetics.

09/01/2026

September is National Preparedness Month 🧰🆘🎒
If a wildfire threatened your home today, would you be ready? Making go bags for you and your family members is one way you can prepare now to react to a wildfire or other natural disaster. Store your go bags in an easily accessible location so you can grab them at a moment’s notice.

Some key items you should have in your go bag are:
- Non-perishable food for 72 hours
- One gallon of water per person, per day
- A first aid kit - don’t forget to pack seven days of your prescriptions!
- Toiletries
- A hand-crank or battery-powered radio to get up-to-date safety information
- A power bank and charging cords for your phone
- An N95 mask to protect you from smoke inhalation
- Sturdy gloves in case you come in contact with debris or hot surfaces
- Copies of your house and car keys
- Copies of important personal identification documents
- Cash
- A multitool
- An emergency blanket
- A whistle
- A change of clothes

08/31/2026

The American elm once lined streets and shaded communities across Nebraska. Today, finding a mature one can be a rare sight. Dutch elm disease has killed millions of elm trees across the country. It remains a threat to Nebraska’s elms today. Learn how Dutch elm disease spreads, what symptoms to watch for and what you can do to help protect healthy trees. https://go.unl.edu/0hna

08/28/2026

Nebraska Forest Service staff directly assisted with suppression efforts and coordinated aerial single engine air tanker (SEAT) support on the Bypass Fire south of Chadron on Tuesday. The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department says the fire was one of several in the area ignited by lightning strikes.

On this week's , remember that fires can start without warning and it is important to have a plan to protect your family. Western Nebraska, specifically the panhandle, has a moderate to very high risk of wildfires today. Ensure your home is surrounded by defensible space - an intentional buffer between buildings, grasses, trees and shrubs that can slow or stop the spread of wildfire.

08/27/2026

Leave your guess in the comments below 👀👇

08/26/2026

Kinda chic to attend Forest Festival Family Fun Night.
Sept. 11, 2026 from 4 - 8 PM
2106 Horning Road, Plattsmouth, NE
Admission ends at 7:30 PM

Find more info at www.nfs.unl.edu

08/26/2026

Big day at the Nebraska State Fair! NFS and PlantNebraska experts are on-hand today serving as judges for the 2026 4-H Forestry Judging Day. Cheering on the next generation of tree stewards! 🌳🏆

08/25/2026

Hope you're having a Tree-rrific Tuesday! Meet the Cockspur Hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli): a tough, wildlife-friendly tree worth adding to your fall planting list. Its fruit feeds many birds, and its tangle of thorny branches offers great shelter cover. Fun fact: "crus-galli" is Latin for "leg of a c**k," a nod to thorns shaped like rooster spurs.

Growing 15-30' tall with a 10-25' spread, it's a great mid-size option for yards and windbreaks. One tip: keep it away from cedar trees, since it's highly susceptible to cedar-hawthorn rust in wet years.

Fall is a great time to plant. Consider a Nebraska-friendly tree like the Cockspur Hawthorn for your next addition.

08/24/2026

post in honor of the first day of school for Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources students🌲

Sometimes finding your path starts with simply saying yes to an opportunity.

Nebraska Forest Service student worker Elle Hewitt came to NFS looking for experience. Along the way, she planted trees, worked with GIS, helped reduce hazardous fuels and even earned her Red Card for wildland firefighting.

Most importantly, she discovered new possibilities for her future in forestry.

“Working alongside experienced professionals here in Chadron and across the NFS has helped me explore all the different niches in forestry,” says Hewitt.

08/19/2026

Thanks to Mike Hogan and KIOS - Omaha Public Radio for having us on "Live and Local" to talk wildfires in Nebraska!

Complete Two-Part Interview with Nebraska Forest Service's Benjamin Bohall