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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.
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Jan. 8, 2019 — COLLEGE STATION, Texas — 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.
The award was presented Jan. 7 at the AgriLife Conference on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station.
Hambright has worked with Texas A&M Forest Service for more than 25 years, rising through the ranks to Regional Forester and currently leads five agency districts, eight professional foresters and 45 employees across 18 Southeast Texas counties.
Regarded by his peers as innovative and solution-driven, over his career Hambright has developed several new, cutting-edge programs for the agency.
East Texas Operations Department Head Wes Moorehead recognizes the contribution Hambright has made to forestry over his career. “Joel’s innovative approaches, depth of knowledge and commitment to the TFS mission has caused positive impacts to ripple through the forestry community and can clearly be seen throughout his tenure.”
Internal and integral to the organization, Hambright pioneered the Texas A&M Forest Service Mentor Program by which institutional knowledge and practical experience is transferred from senior employees to new and developing employees. This program has helped bridge a critical gap created by a relatively large number of new employees entering into the agency.
Similarly devising a solution to an identified challenge, as the crime of timber theft began to occur more frequently in recent years, foresters needed a consistent and accurate means of estimating the volume and value of the stolen timber. Hambright helped standardize formulas, procedures and training for foresters as well as better prepare personnel for potential depositions.
Externally, after learning about changing forest landowner demographics and objectives, Hambright’s vision led to the creation of the Texas Forest Expo, an event designed to help new landowners and the general public learn about trees, forests and natural resources. This event later partnered with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Lone Star College and AgriLife Extension to establish the highly successful and influential Texas Wildlife and Woodland Expo. The Expo is currently in its 10th year, reaching approximately 10,000 people a year.
One of the technical services provided by the state agency to Texas landowners is helping each, one-on-one, to develop a land management plan. This is a detailed and complex process and resulting document. Hambright developed a first-ever forest management plan workshop where landowners draft their own plans according to their own goals assisted by the oversight and expertise of agency or private consulting foresters. This enables more landowners at a time to better plan for and manage their forestland.
Hambright recognizes the value in actively participating in professional and conservation organizations. He regularly supports and delivers programs of the Texas Forestry Association and Texas Society of American Foresters. He has organized numerous county landowner association meetings, enrolled countless landowners in the Tree Farm Program, and facilitated many Project Learning Tree and Teachers’ Conservation Institute sessions to train current and future teachers on natural resources in a way that aligns with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills curriculum. He has also served as the Professional Recognition Chair for TSAF for over 15 years, recognizing the accomplishments of professionals and students in the field of forestry.
“Joel’s career has been a testament to what public service in forestry should look like,” said Moorehead. “He truly puts service before self, and people recognize that.”
The Vice Chancellor’s Awards in Excellence were established in 1980 to recognize the commitment and outstanding contributions of faculty and staff across Texas A&M AgriLife and provide opportunity to celebrate the achievements of those honored. Learn more at https://agrilifeawards.tamu.edu.
Photo from left to right: Patrick Stover, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Joel Hambright Regional Forester with Texas A&M Forest Service, Tom Boggus, State Forester and Director of Texas A&M Forest Service
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.