Texas A&M Forest Services Press Release

Dry Conditions, Increased Vegetation Set Stage for Higher Wildfire Risk in Texas

January 16, 2026 — Wildfire activity across the state is expected to increase this winter and spring as above-normal vegetation dries and becomes highly flammable.

Texas A&M Forest Service Offers $1.2 million in Grants Promoting Community Forestry

December 11, 2025 - Texas A&M Forest Service is offering over $1.2 million in grant funding through the Community Forestry Grants program to enhance community forestry initiatives throughout the state. Grants will help build capacity for community forestry through workforce development, outreach, canopy enhancements and other unique project ideas.

Texas Resilient Landscapes Initiative Offers $3.2 million in Reforestation Funding

December 1, 2025 - Texas forest and woodland landowners are eligible to receive up to $80,000 for reforestation practices on their property. The Texas Resilient Landscapes Initiative is offering $3.2 million in cost-share funding over the next four years.

The initiative is focused on supporting reforestation efforts in areas vulnerable to risk of loss from disaster or environmental change. Applications for funding are open now and close Jan. 23, 2026.

New Educational Course Encourages Forest Literacy For Students in US and Canada

August 8, 2025 - Texas A&M Forest Service and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative launched an online forestry education course—Forest Literacy: Understanding the Values of Trees, Forests and Sustainability.

The online course is designed to provide access to forest and natural resource concepts to all formal and informal educators, academic administrators, natural resource personnel and others who engage in public outreach about forests across the United States and Canada.

Overview of the 89th Regular Texas Legislative Session

June 26, 2025 - Texas legislators allocated approximately $630 million in new funding, above current base funding, for Texas A&M Forest Service over the next two fiscal years.

The 89th Texas Legislative Session ended June 2, 2025, and the governor signed the budget on June 22.

The budget funds more volunteer fire department grants, the purchase and operation of wildfire suppression aircraft, motor vehicle purchases and more.

New funding to Texas A&M Forest Service above the current base funding includes:

Cedar Fever Season Begins in Texas

December 10, 2024 - It’s time for Texans to brace for cedar fever season once again. Cedar fever is an allergic reaction to the pollen released by mountain cedar trees, and unfortunately, you don’t have to be allergic to the pollen for it to affect you.

Texas A&M Forest Service Offering Grants to Promote Community Forests

Texas A&M Forest Service Warns of Fire Danger as Hot, Dry Conditions Persist

August 1, 2023 - Texas A&M Forest Service warns of increased wildfire danger, as high temperatures and dry conditions continue to impact the state.

“Since mid-July, wildfire activity has increased substantially across Texas due to expanding drought conditions,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “Over the past two weeks, state and local firefighters have responded to 280 wildfires that burned almost 10,000 acres.”

Tree-killing Emerald Ash Borer confirmed in Cooke County

June 30, 2023 - The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Cooke County this week. EAB is an invasive wood-boring pest of ash trees that has killed millions of trees across 35 states since its arrival to the United States in 2002.

On June 21, Texas A&M Forest Service collected several adult beetle specimens in northern Cooke County and tentatively identified them as EAB. The beetles were collected in an EAB trap that is part of a state monitoring program run by Texas A&M Forest Service each year.

Grant Funding Available to Eligible Volunteer Fire Departments for Recruitment

February 6, 2023 - Texas A&M Forest Service is offering new Volunteer Recruitment Resources grants designed to help Texas volunteer fire departments strengthen their workforce and enhance community fire protection.

Shelby County Today

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