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University's logging sports team cuts its way to victory

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Conservation & Sustainability

Extension offices provide support and research for many conservation initiatives throughout the state of Nevada. In addition, a partnership with Nevada's Conservation Districts has been formed which assists both organizations with the overall vision of Conservation for the state of Nevada while providing additional education and resources to help conserve Nevada's natural resources.

Fire Toolkit Portal

The toolkit is developed to provide guidance for communities and on-the-ground organizers engaging in collaborative planning to reduce their threat to wildfire.

Living With Fire

Helping Nevadans and visitors prepare for wildfire

Nevada Naturalist

This program educates adult volunteers who educate others and engage in environmental projects in southern Nevada.

Nevada Youth Range Camp Program

Most of Nevada’s youth live in large urban environments, with little exposure to rangelands, forests or agricultural environments, and the products and services rangelands provide. This program teaches students ages 14-18 how to read maps; identify and the importance of rangeland plants; evaluate sagebrush, woodland and stream ecosystems; wildlife habitat; and many other topics related to rangelands.

Forestry Related News Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...


2021 Little Vally Fire Restoration Update The University of Nevada, Reno, U.S. Forest Service, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the Nevada Division of Forestry have worked together to rehabilitate the landscape after the Little Valley Fire. What have they accomplished? Kay, M., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-113
Channel changes in burned streams of northern Nevada In the Great Basin, frequency of large-fire is increasing. To better understand fire and riparian system interactions, we studied pre- to post-fire changes in ten riparian attributes of a randomly sampled reach of forty three streams burned within a three-year period... Kozlowski, D., Swanson, S. R., Schmidt, K. 2010, Journal of Arid Environments 74(11), 1494-1506.
Choosing the Right Plants for Northern Nevada's High Fire Hazard Areas The most important person in preventing a house from being destroyed by wildfire is the homeowner. And, it is the actions that a homeowner takes before a fire occurs that are critical. One of the most important “pre-fire” activities that a homeowner can do is the creation of a defensible space. Smith, E., Skelly, J. 2007, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, EB-07-01
Choosing Turf and Erosion Control Grasses for the Lake Tahoe Basin Planting grass near homes can control soil erosion and help create fire defensible space. Since the tragic Angora Fire in 2007, many Tahoe residents are re-evaluating their landscaping options for areas close to residences. Cobourn, J., Skelly, J. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, SP-09-07
Climate Change Impacts in Nevada Summarized in this fact sheet are specific details about how climate change has already and will continue to impact the state of Nevada and strategies that can be used to prepare for these changes. McAfee, S., Restaino, C., Ormerod, K., Dettinger, M., McEvoy, D., Kalansky, J., Cayan, D., Lachniet, M., Moser, S., VanderMolen, K., Wall, T. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno FS-21-06
Combine Defensible Space and Best Management Practices (BMP's) Homeowners at Lake Tahoe need to protect their homes from wildfire. At the same time, they are required to protect Lake Tahoe’s famed water clarity from sediment caused by soil erosion. These goals can be accomplished most efficiently if owners plan their defensible space and their best management practices together. Cobourn, John 2008, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-08-26
Drought and Fire in Nevada: Is fire risk higher during drought? This short factsheet describes the relationship between fire and drought in Nevada. It contradicts the common misperception that drought always leads to more fire and provides detailed information about how drought relates to fire in different kinds of ecosystems. Davis, A., McAfee, S., Restaino, C., Ormerod, K.J. 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno Factsheet
Fire Adapted Communities: The Next Step in Wildfire Preparedness Do you know what it takes to survive a wildfire? A fire adapted communities is a community located in fire-prone area that requires little assistance from firefighters during a wildfire. Residents of these communities accept responsibility for living in a high fire hazard area. Smith, E., Sistare, S., Nejedlo, G. 2011, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, SP-11-01
Fire Adapted Communities: The Next Step in Wildfire Preparedness, Carson City Do you know what it takes to survive a wildfire? A fire adapted communities is a community located in fire-prone area that requires little assistance from firefighters during a wildfire. Residents of these communities accept responsibility for living in a high fire hazard area. Smith, E., Sistare, S., Nejedlo, G. 2011, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, SP-11-01
Fire Adapted Communities: The Next Step in Wildfire Preparedness, Elko County Do you know what it takes to survive a wildfire? A fire adapted community is a community located in fire-prone area that requires little assistance from firefighters during a wildfire. Read more about fire adapted communities in the Elko County area. Smith, E., Sistare, S., Nejedlo, G. 2011, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, SP-16-02
Fire Adapted Communities: The Next Step in Wildfire Preparedness. Lake Tahoe Basin There are proven steps that homeowners can take to improve personal safety and home survival during wildfire. The purpose of this publication is to present these steps and encourage neighbors to work together and with their local fire firefighting agency to take action. Smith, E., Sistare, S. 2014, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, SP-14-05
Flows for Floodplain Forests: A Successful Riparian Restoration Throughout the 20th century, the Truckee River that flows from Lake Tahoe into the Nevada desert was progressively dammed and dewatered, which led to the collapse of its aquatic and riparian ecosystems... Stewart B. Rood, Chad R. Gourley, Elisabeth M. Ammon, Lisa G. Heki, Jonathan R. Klotz, Michael L. Morrison, Dan Mosley, G. Gary Scoppettone, Sherman Swanson, And Paul L. Wagner 2003, BioScience, 53(7):647-656
Fresh-Cut Christmas Trees Create Memories, Improve Forest Health Andrews, A. 2016, Reno Gazette-Journal
Guía De Adaptación De Viviendas En Caso De Incendios Forestales: Cómo fortalecer las casas para resistir incendios forestales Esta guía incluye recomendaciones específicas de cómo adaptar componentes existentes en una vivienda para poder resistir un incendi forestal. Cada sección contiene una explicación de cómo dicho componente es vulnerable a los incendios forestales y lo que se puede hacer para mejorar ese componente. Restaino, C., Kocher, S., Shaw, N., Hawks, S., Murphy, C., Quarles, S. 2023, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, SP-23-02
Hybrid Poplar Production 1998- 2003 in Eureka and Churchill Counties This fact sheet contains hybrid poplar production in Eureka and Churchill by looking at uses for polar trees and Nevada trail descriptions. Davison, J. and Riggs, W. 2005, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-25
Impactos del Cambio Climático en Nevada En este artículo, se resumen detalles específicos sobre cómo el cambio climático ya ha afectado y seguirá afectando al estado de Nevada y las estrategias que pueden utilizarse para prepararse para estos cambios. McAfee, S., Restaino, C., Ormerrod, K., Dettinger, M., McEvoy, D., Kalansky, J., Cayan, D., Lachniet, M., Moser, S., VanderMolen, K., Wall, T. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno FS-21-06
Integrated Lentic Riparian Grazing Management Managing lentic riparian areas for functionality is a legal, policy, sustainability, sage grouse & common sense requirement. Yet this work has been neglected without an effective integrated riparian management process (IRMP) such as Dickard et al. (2015) described for lotic riparian areas... Sherman Swanson, 2016, Eds. Iwaasa, Alan, H.A. (Bart) Lardner, Mike Schellenberg, Walter Willms and Kathy Larso. In: Proceedings 10th International Rangelands Congress, July 18-22. Saskatoon, SK, Canada. 10(2.3-5):454-456
Nevada Flood After Fire Guide The Nevada Flood After Fire Guide provides resources and guidance for Nevada residents on how to prepare for a flood after wildfire, how to stay safe during a flood, and what steps to take after the flood. Restaino, C., Jarrett, E., Olsen, D., Simmons, E., Bardsley, T., Fichtner, S., Rendo, C., Woodward, J., Schembre, C., James, E., Putz, T. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno SP-21-14
Nevada Nuisance Weeds Field Guide The plants listed in this field guide are nuisance weeds, those that are troublesome, but have not been listed by the state as noxious weeds. Hefner, M., Kratsch, H. 2018, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension SP-18-02
Nevada's Weather and Climate Weather and climate are related, but they are not the same. The difference between weather and climate is time. Practically speaking, weather determines which clothes you decide to put on today, but climate determines the type of clothes that are in your closet. Ormerod, Kerri Jean; McAfee, Stephanie 2017, Extension \| Fact Sheet 17-04
Northeastern Nevada Wildfires 2006 Part 1 - Fire and Land-use History Learn about how wildland fires occure by understanding the conditions that lead up to large fires, historical perspectives, climate changes, ecological changes, and many more. McAdoo, K., Schultz, B., Swanson, S., and Back, G. 2006, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-07-20
Northeastern Nevada Wildfires 2006 Part 2 - Can Livestock Grazing be Used to Reduce Wildfires? This factsheet addresses the use of livestock to reduce wildfires and is the second of three fact sheets about the 2006 wildfires in northeastern Nevada. Learn about livestock grazing as a vegetation management tool, challenges, targeted grazing, and many more. McAdoo, K., Schultz, B., Swanson, S., and Orr, R. 2006, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-07-21
Pinyon-Juniper Encroachment: Effects on Carbon and Nutrient Cycling The encroachment of pinyon-juniper woodlands into sagebrush ecosystems alters nutrient cycling. This fact sheet details how encroachment affects nutrient availability and carbon sequestration. Putz, T., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-118
Pinyon-Juniper Encroachment: Effects on Hydrology Pinyon-juniper encroachment of sagebrush ecosystems alters water processes. This fact sheet details how this change in hydrology occurs and describes the effects of increased water runoff and soil erosion. Putz, T., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-115
Pinyon-Juniper Encroachment: Effects on Invasive Species This fact sheet provides information on the relationship between pinyon-juniper encroachment of sagebrush rangelands and invasive species, such as non-native annual grasses. Learn how encroachment and non-native grasses interact to influence ecosystem functioning and health. Putz, T., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-116
Pinyon-Juniper Encroachment: Effects on Sagebrush-Dependent Wildlife Pinyon-juniper encroachment of sagebrush ecosystems impacts many wildlife species through loss of habitat. This fact sheet provides information on how decreasing food and cover with encroachment harms sagebrush-dependent wildlife. Putz, T., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-119
Pinyon-Juniper Encroachment: Effects on Wildfire Wildfire behavior is altered with pinyon-juniper encroachment of sagebrush ecosystems. In this fact sheet learn how wildfire fuel amounts and structure change with encroachment and the impacts of this on the landscape. Putz, T., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-117
Principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) An outline of the principles and best practices of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Hefner, M. 2019, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno. IP
Reply to discussion by David L. Rosgen. Prediction of Annual Streambank Erosion for Sequoia National Forest, California. In his response to our article, Dr. Dave Rosgen explores the possibilities for our low streambank erosion rates as compared with previous studies (Table 4). Dr. Rosgen reiterated the fact that half of the study period was conducted during dry years... Kwan, H., Swanson, S. R. 2015, Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 51(2), 568.
Rooting Characteristics of Four Intermountain Meadow Community Types Healthy meadow communities generally have excellent soil binding properties. However, the belowground characteristics of these communities have seldom been evaluated. In 4 meadow community types (CTs) we measured root mass and root length density (RLD) at 10-cm intervals to 40 cm soil depth... Manning, M., S. Swanson, T. Svejcar, and J. Trent 1989, J. Range Manage., 42(4):309-312
Size, Age, and Density Relationships in Curlleaf Mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) Populations in Western and Central Nevada: Competitive Implications. Schultz, B.W., Tausch, R.J., and Tueller, P.T. 1991, Great Basin Naturalist. 51:183-191.
Synergistic monitoring for adaptive management: Nevada sagebrush ecosystems For many years, land managers and scientists have been applying a variety of land treatments to improve or protect rangeland ecosystems. Collectively, we have studied the response of these treatments and wildfire events to identify opportunities for maintaining or improving Nevada sagebrush ecosystem health... Swanson, J., Swanson, S. R., McCuin, G., Mcadoo, J. K., Schultz, B. W. 2011, Pages 187-190. In: Monoco, Thomas A.; Schupp, Eugene W.; Pendleton, Rosemary L.; Kitchen, Stanley G.; Palacios, Patsy K. comps. 2011. Proceedings - Threats to Shrubland Ecosystem Integrity. May 18-20 Logan, UT 16th Wildland Shrub Symposium. Vol. XVII. S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Natural Resources Res
Thinning and Sanitation: Tools for the management of bark beetles in the Lake Tahoe Basin From 1994 to 1996, five interstate forest fires in eastern Sierra Nevada forests chronically infested with bark beetles claimed $40 million in housing and property damage, timber loss, and soil stabilization costs. Donaldson, S., Seybold, S.J. 1998, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-98-42
Unconfined Compressive Strength of Some Streambank Soils with Herbaceous Roots Streambank stability requires that bank strength exceeds destabilizing forces, including compressive forces from sources such as trampling and foot traffic... Kleinfelder, D., S. Swanson, G. Norris, and W. Clary. 1992, Soil Sci. Soc. of Am. J., 56(6):1920-1925.
University's logging sports team cuts its way to victory Nevada Loggers win big at largest forest conference and exhibition in the West Andrews, A. 2022, Nevada Today
Western Land Managers will Need all Available Tools for Adapting to Climate Change, Including Grazing: A Critique of Beschta et al. In a previous article, Beschta et al. (Environ Manag 51(2):474-491, 2013) argue that grazing by large ungulates (both native and domestic) should be eliminated or greatly reduced on western public lands to reduce potential climate change impacts... Svejcar,Tony, Chad Boyd, Kirk Davies, Matthew Madsen, Jon Bates, Roger Sheley, Clayton Marlow, David Bohnert, Mike Borman, Ricardo Mata-Gonza`lez, John Buckhouse, Tamzen Stringham, Barry Perryman Sherman Swanson, Kenneth Tate, Mel George, George Ruyle, Bruce Roundy, Chris Call, Kevin Jensen, Karen Launchbaugh, Amanda Gearhart, Lance Vermeire, John Tanaka, Justin Derner, Gary Frasier, Kris Havstad, 2014, Environmental Management
What Grows Back After The Fire In the aftermath of wildfire, many homeowners are alarmed by the sudden change in appearance of the wildland vegetation surrounding their homes. At this time, a frequently asked question is "Will it grow back?" This fact sheet describes the response of some common northern Nevada rangeland plants to wildfire. Smith, E., Davidson, J. 1996, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno. FS96-40
YHEP: Common Weeds, Ep 04: The Many Uses of Mullein Follow YHEP instructor Ian Ford-Terry up into the mountains as he hikes the cool woodlands in search of an ancient cough remedy! Ford-Terry, I. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, YouTube Channel