CHADRON, Neb. – The Nebraska Forest Service will host an outdoor forestry field day on June 23 to focus on managing forestland to prevent or minimize wildfire damage.

The event will be Tuesday, June 23 at Chadron State Park’s Central Building from 4-9 p.m. (MT). A free barbecue will be provided to all registered participants. The workshop is free and open to the public.

“Several years of below-average precipitation have stressed Nebraska’s forests. Coupled with over-stocked stand conditions in many areas, forests are more susceptible to diseases, insects and the threat of catastrophic wildfire,” said Doak Nickerson, Nebraska Forest Service northwest district forester in Chadron. “Fuels management is a function of good forest management, which often entails thinning crowded trees and removing ladder fuels. The result is a healthier forest that is less prone to catastrophic wildland fire, as well as insect and disease attacks.”

Nickerson said attendees will have an opportunity to tour an active fuels reduction project and attend educational sessions on forest fuel condition, firewise concepts, growing fire-tolerant forests and forest products. There also will be educational exhibits and equipment demonstrations.

“From presentations by landowners, contractors and forestry professionals, we hope folks will come away with a good understanding of the wildfire threat to our forests, what they can do about it, opportunities for using the waste materials from thinning operations, and other benefits associated with forest management activities,” said Nickerson.

For more information or to pre-register, contact Doak Nickerson at (308) 432-6190 or hnickerson1@unl.edu.