THIS PAGE IS BEST DISPLAYED WITH A HTML5 BROWSER
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
In 1996, State Sen. Robert Nichols donated 3.5 acres of land to the Texas A&M Forest Service and leased an adjacent, similiarly-sized parcel of land to the agency for just $1 per year. Three years later, the agency opened an arboretum devoted to educating school children, Boy Scouts, Master Gardeners and other local groups.Named in honor of Sen. Nichols' mother, the Ruth Bowling Nichols Arboretum features several trails. The main trail is a quarter-mile long and broken into three sections, each featuring the different types of forests—pure pine, mixed hardwood and pine and hardwood—that are represented along the trail.
Historic trees have been planted in open areas along the trail, as well as rows of the different types of pines that can be found in East Texas.
The arboretum is open to various educational groups, by appointment. Ruth Bowling Nichols Arboretum1015 South East Loop 456Jacksonville, TX 75766-1783903-586-7545
The mission of the Olive Scott Petty Arboretum is to promote the knowledge and appreciation of trees and plants for personal enjoyment, inspiration and recreation; for educational and aesthetic purposes; and for scientific research.The arboretum is in the process of being grown. When complete, it will serve as a living classroom—a site of teaching, research and public education related to the native trees and plants of southeast Texas.
You can be part of creating this legacy by helping develop the Olive Scott Petty Arboretum. Your donation of $100, $200 or more will be used to plant a tree in honor of or in memory of a loved one. Names of those who are honored or remembered will be listed at the Arboretum. More information can be found on the Donor Form.
The land was a gift to TFS from Scott Petty in remembrance of his father, Olive Scott Petty (1895–1994), to be used as an arboretum to benefit Texans.Olive Scott Petty was the son of V.A. Petty Jr., president of the Olive Sternenberg Lumber Company (renamed in 1908). He was born in Olive, Texas and this land is where he developed a love and appreciation for the outdoors. It was Mr. Petty’s dream to use the property for educating young people about Texas’ forests as well as the history of the land. His favorite tree was a magnolia and it was the first tree planted at the Arboretum.
The Olive Scott Petty Arboretum is located on Hwy. 69 approximately, 30 minutes north of Beaumont.
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.