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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.
Forest Inventory & Analysis
+Forest Economics & Resources
Ecosystem Services
-Tree Improvement
Texas Wildfire Risk Portal
Texas Forest Info Portal
Texas Forest Info
+Maps and Data
The Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program, established in 1969, formalized the collaborative tree improvement efforts led by Texas A&M Forest Service. This cooperative model allows for members within a local region to share workloads, thus speeding up the improvement process, as well as access to the same improved genetics. The program is sponsored by and coordinated through TFS.
Early program emphasis was on establishing the breeding populations of loblolly and slash pines with membership expanded to include forest industries and state organizations in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi. Members of the pine cooperative with an interest in bottomland hardwoods joined efforts with TFS to expand the genetic base for several species and preserve selected genetic material for future use. The cooperative is preserving and improving populations of four southern pine species and several hardwood species.
ArborGen (TX)Arkansas Forestry Commission (AR)Campbell Global, LLC (TX)Deltic Timber Corporation (AR)Hancock Forest Management, Inc. (TX)International Forest Company (LA)Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LA)Oklahoma Forestry Services (OK)Plum Creek Timber Company (AR, MS)Rayonier Forest Resources (TX)Texas A&M Forest Service (TX) Weyerhaeuser Company (LA, MS)
Contributing members of the WGFTIP pine improvement program
Molpus Timberland Management, LLC (AR)RoyOMartin (LA)
Full members of the WGFTIP hardwood improvement program
Arkansas Forestry CommissionCampbell Global, LLCLouisiana Department of Agriculture and ForestryLouisiana Forest Seed Company, IncTexas A&M Forest Service
The WGFTIP currently recognizes four membership categories. I.FULL: An organization may qualify for full membership in the cooperative either as a traditional member or under conditions recommended by the WGFTIP Director and approved by the Executive Committee within the following guidelines.Qualifications for traditional Full Membership:
Qualification for non-traditional Full Membership:
Services to be provided to Full Members will include but not be limited to:
II.CONTRIBUTING: This membership category was approved by the WGFTIP Executive Committee in 2008. An organization may qualify for contributing membership in the cooperative under conditions recommended by the WGFTIP Director and approved by the Executive Committee within the following guidelines.
Qualification for Contributing Membership:
Rights and Benefits of a Contributing Member:
Membership fees are approved annually by the Executive Committee and are structured based on membership level.
Full: Full members pay base dues as set by the Executive Committee. These dues cover activities for a single breeding zone. Member with acquired programs in other zones will pay an additional Working Unit fee set at ¾ of the base dues. This fee structure was adopted by the Executive committee in 1980. New members will also be charged an entrance fee set at five times the base dues of the year in which application for membership is made.
Contributing: A Contributing Member will be assessed an annual fee based on the number of acres regenerated in the previous calendar year with seedlings that originated from the WGFTIP breeding program or seedlings and seed sold to non-members that originated from the WGFTIP breeding program. Dues will be $2.50 per acre regenerated, $5.00 per thousand seedlings sold, and $10.00 per pound of seed sold with a minimum fee equivalent to the dues for one Working Unit. The Entrance Fee expected for Full Membership is waived.
Sustaining: A Sustaining Member will be assessed an annual fee equal to dues for a Working Unit. The Entrance Fee is waived.
Associate: A nominal annual fee of not less than $500 and not more than $3000, as approved by the Executive Committee.
The Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program Forest Science Laboratory Building 1042, Agronomy Road 2585 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-2585
Phone: 979-845- 2523 Fax: 979-845-3272
The WGFTIP publishes an annual report highlighting breeding, progeny testing, orchard establishment and production activities as well as any pertinent forestry research conducted at Texas A&M University or by the USDA Forest Service. Electronic copies of these reports have been available since 1998 and can be accessed below.
2009 Annual Report (PDF, 1.08 MB)
2006 Annual Report (PDF, 1.15 MB)
2005 Annual Report (PDF, 1.6 MB)
2004 Annual Report (PDF, 3.22 MB)
2003 Annual Report (PDF, 3.3 MB)
2002 Annual Report (PDF, 1.19 MB)
2001 Annual Report (PDF, 1.25 MB)
2000 Annual Report (PDF, 1.1 MB)
1999 Annual Report (PDF, 0.85 MB)
1998 Annual Report (PDF, 1.4 MB)
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.