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We're tasked by the state with responding to wildfires. We study weather patterns, drought cycles and the status of vegetation across the state to predict when and where dangerous fire conditions may occur. Should a wildfire ignite, we maintain a statewide network of strategically-placed teams of firefighters and equipment so that we're able to respond quickly when the call comes.
Rural fire departments respond to 80 percent of wildfires in Texas - and they do it with shoestring budgets and almost entirely with volunteers. We help fire departments pay for needed training and equipment and help Texans learn how to prevent, prepare for and protect against wildfire.
With roughly 94 percent of forestland in Texas privately owned, the trees, forests—and the benefits they provide - rests in the hands of thousands of Texans. While keeping the entire state's forested landscape in mind, we inform and educate landowners on sustainable land management practices.
We work with communities to plant, care for and conserve trees. We empower local volunteers to make a positive impact in their communities. We are here to assist when disaster strikes with damage assessments, information, technical assistance and long-term recovery.
We analyze and monitor forests, landscapes and communities for susceptibility to health and wildfire risks. We take action with education, information, diagnosis and treatment. We know that any information we have is more powerful when we give it to you.
We can help quench your thirst for learning. Explore links to identify trees using their leaves and branches, create your own tree trails and experience Texas history from the perspective of a witness tree. Share activities in the classroom to open up a world of conservation for new generations.
Rural fire departments respond to 80 percent of the wildfires in Texas - and they do it with shoestring budgets and a staff often made up almost entirely of volunteers. Sometimes they need a little help. Our programs help fire departments pay for needed training and equipment. We also help communities and property owners learn to prevent, prepare for and protect against wildfire.
We work with communities to plant, care for and conserve trees where people live, work and play. We foster appreciation and stewardship of urban forests empowering local volunteers to make a positive impact in their communities. We are here to assist when disaster strikes. From damage assessment, to information and technical assistance, to long-term recovery - we help property owners and communities thrive.
Our experts research, analyze and carefully monitor forests, landscapes and communities for susceptibility to health and wildfire risks. We take action with education, information, diagnosis and treatment. We know that any information or knowledge we have is more powerful when we give it to you. As a state agency, our responsibility is share what we know.
If you have an unquenchable thirst for learning, we offer programs and information that you may either explore independently or share with a group. Learn about trees, forests, the benefits they provide and the challenges they face. Read stories about trees that are living witness to Texas history. Locate champion trees across the state. And bring activities into the classroom to open a world of conservation to a new generation.
+Conservation Education Resources
Insects & Diseases
Tree Identification
Famous Trees of Texas
Texas Big Tree Registry
+State Forests & Arboretums
Ask a Forester
Video Gallery
Photo Gallery
Podcasts
Geocaching
ASK A FORESTER
#TFSintheWild
Tree Trails offers a place-based learning experience for your students to get outside and interact with the trees on your campus or in your community. Using urban forestry education goals, Tree Trails guides educators in creating and incorporating a Tree Trail in their program. The goals move students through choosing trees, identifying and measuring their trees, using the trail to investigate other urban forestry topics, then designing and conducting a service learning project.
Modules follow the 5 E instructional model and are available with an elementary or secondary focus.
As a place-based learning project, Tree Trails can be layered within other campus or community learning experiences. Such as combining with a Project Learning Tree unit or PLT Greenschools investigation, a Keep America Beautiful project, a National Wildlife Federation Garden for Wildlife, a Junior Master Gardener Wildlife Garden or any other outdoor classroom.
Tree Trails curriculum materials and resources were developed by Texas A&M Forest Service in cooperation with Texas Urban Forestry Council and were supported by grants from the U.S. Forest Service and Keep America Beautiful.
Full Module
Lesson Only
Tree Trails Data Sheet Learning Log template Internet Links: • Getting Started • Map My Property • Sample Tree Trail Search By, Trail Name, enter: Heights HCBTR Trail
Poems Getting Started on Leaf Characteristics Internet Links: • Poems about Trees Learning the Trees by Howard Nemerov Trees by Joyce Kilmer Native Trees by W. E. Merwin Winter Trees by William Carlos Williams Banana Trees by Joseph Stanton [little tree] by E. E. Cummings where you are planted by Evie Shockley • Trees of Texas • Trees of Texas, How To ID section • Trees of Texas, ID by Leaf section • Trees of Texas, Leaf Collecting and Safety section
Lesson Only Tree Measurement Guidelines
Tree Cross Sections Tree Parts
Scavenger Hunt Annual Benefits Breakdown
Lesson Only Tree Characteristics Platform Statements and Resources Diverse Ecosystem Rubric
Signs of Unhealthy Trees Investigative Procedures Investigative Report Guidelines Research Topics Media Presentation Instructions
Career Cards Student Service Leader Sample Projects Sample Needs Assessment Format Sample Tree Tag Student Service Leader Certificate
Download all eight lesson modules or find each individual lesson with handouts and internet links below.
All Secondary Lesson Modules (13 MB)
Jump to:
1-1 Map a Tree Trail
1-2: Tree Identification
1-3: Tree Measurement
2-1: Tree Structure and Function
2-2: Ecological Diversity and Native Species
2-3: Tree and Forest Health
3: Benefits and Values
4: Student Service Leader
By understanding maps, students get a sense of where they are in relation to their home, school and neighborhood. Trees are often other important landmarks along the way.
Lesson + Handouts (1.9 MB)
Lesson only (975 KB)
Handouts
Internet Links
Tree identification is a critical first step towards an understanding of ‘diversity.’ By learning the names of trees, we come to appreciate them.
Lesson + Handouts (1.5 MB)
Lesson only (995 KB)
Tree measurement is fundamental to the practice of forestry. Foresters count trees and measure trees. With just a few basic measurements, we can assign values to trees and compare them to each other.
Lesson + Handouts (1.7 MB)
Lesson only (987 KB)
Trees are living organisms with many specialized structures – leaves, roots, wood, and the living cells that connect them. Understanding how trees are constructed and grow is essential to care for trees and calculate the benefits that trees provide.
Lesson only (963 KB)
Promoting ‘diversity’ is a basic principle of urban forestry. A diverse forest implies a more resilient forest, since disease or insect outbreaks likely won’t affect every tree all at once.
Lesson + Handouts (1.3 MB)
Lesson only (969 KB)
History has shown us the risk of planting too many of the same species in the urban forest. Cities and forests have lost millions of trees to foreign or species-specific diseases and insect pests. Exotic tree species can sometimes invade our forest landscapes and crowd out native species.
Lesson + Handouts (4.4 MB)
Lesson only (972 KB)
Advances in the science of urban forestry allow us to assign monetary values to a wide range of benefits that trees provide. As trees grow, these values rise. This is the only part of the built environment of our cities that does so!
Lesson + Handouts (2.1 MB)
Lesson only (988 KB)
Arbor Day is the celebration of trees where we live, work, learn and play. Communities set aside one day each year to plant and care for trees, usually on public property, such as a school or park. Students can provide the leadership for a project to plant, care for or celebrate trees – either on school grounds or in the surrounding community.
Lesson + Handouts (5.4 MB)
Lesson only (981 KB)
Project Learning Tree offers another set of curriculum resources in developing your Tree Trail. We have suggested PLT activities to use for each Tree Trails Lesson Module. If you have additional suggestions, please email those to us.
If you are not already PLT certified, please visit the Texas PLT website for upcoming workshops.
Download the Project Learning Tree Correlations (PDF, 172 KB)
By understanding maps, students get a sense of where they are in relation to their home, school and neighborhood. Trees are often important landmarks along the way.Goal: Students will select a minimum of three trees for the Tree Trail.PLT Connection: 21 Adopt a Tree
Tree identification is a critical first step towards an understanding of ‘diversity.’ By learning the names of trees, we come to appreciate them.Goal: Students will identify their trail trees and explain how identification relates to tree knowledge.PLT Connection: 5 Poet-Tree, 64 Looking at Leaves, 68 Name that Tree
Tree measurement is fundamental to the practice of forestry. Foresters count trees and measure trees. With just a few basic measurements, we can assign values to trees and compare them to each other.Goal: Students will measure trees and explain how measurement is used to place value on trees and forests. PLT Connection: 67 How Big Is Your Tree?
Trees are living organisms with many specialized structures – leaves, roots, wood, and the living cells that connect them. Understanding how trees are constructed and grow is essential to care for trees and calculate the benefits that trees provide.Goal: Students will explain the structure and function of tree parts. PLT Connection: 63 Tree Factory, 76 Tree Cookies, 79 Tree Lifecycle
Advances in the science of urban forestry allow us to assign monetary values to a wide range of benefits that trees in urban areas provide. As trees grow, these values rise – the only part of the built environment of our cities that does so!Goal: Students will determine the benefits of trees and calculate their value. PLT Connection: 13 We All Need Trees, 30 Three Cheers for Trees!, 32 A Forest of Many Uses
Promoting ‘diversity’ is a basic principle of urban forestry. A diverse forest implies a more resilient forest, since disease or insect outbreaks likely won’t affect every tree all at once.Goal: Students will evaluate how the diversity of species affects the ecosystem.PLT Connection: 10 Charting Diversity
History has shown us the risk of planting too many of the same species in the urban forest. Cities and forests have lost many millions of trees to foreign or species-specific diseases and insect pests. Exotic tree species can sometimes invade our forest landscapes and crowd out native species.Goal: Students will demonstrate ways to keep trees and forests healthy.PLT Connection: 12 Invasive Species
Trees fascinate us because the oldest among them span many human generations. Trees can be a living link to our past, or may be planted by the current generation as memorials to important events or people in the community.Goal: Students will research the history of a tree(s) and make connections to the past.PLT Connection: 95 Did You Notice?
The trees around us – those that make up the ‘urban forest’ – are a reflection of the community itself. Cities often organize the protection, planting and care of trees in public spaces, through a Tree Board or other volunteer group. Tree City USA is one symbol of a community that cares about its trees.Goal: Students will create a Campus Tree Trail Care Plan.PLT Connection: 54 I’d Like to Visit a Place Where…, 74 People, Places, Things
Arbor Day is the celebration of trees where we live, work, learn and play. Communities set aside one day each year to plant and care for trees, usually on public property, such as a school or park. Students can provide the leadership for a project to plant or care for trees – either on school grounds or in the surrounding community.Goal: Students will design and conduct a service learning project.PLT Connection: 31 Plant a Tree, 34 Who Works in this Forest?, 60 Publicize It!, 96 Improve Your Place
Come to the 2019 Tax Workshop!
In addition to fighting wildfires, Texas A&M Forest Service is called upon to assist during all-hazard emergencies such as natural and man-made disasters and domestic situations. Follow @AllHazardsTFS on Twitter for the latest updated on incidents across the state.
The Bastrop Lost Pines Recovery AggieREPLANT will take place on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. Over the past five years, 2,000 students have planted 43,000 loblolly pine seedlings over 50 acres of parkland.
Texas A&M Forest Service launches online tools to assist Texas landowners Texas A&M Forest Service launched the Learn Plan Act Texas website in partnership with the Southern Group of State Foresters and the Texas Forestry Association to educate Texans on land stewardship practices. The agency also redesigned its My Land Management Connector application in an effort to make stewardship easier than ever before.
Texas A&M AgriLife awards TFS forester for public service Texas A&M AgriLife has awarded Andrew Crocker, Staff Forester for Texas A&M Forest Service, the 2017 Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Pubic Service in Forestry.
Texas A&M AgriLife awards forester for public service Texas A&M AgriLife has awarded Joel Hambright, Regional Forester for Texas A&M Forest Service, the 2018 Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Public Service in Forestry.