Forests and Woodlands | Extension | University of Nevada, Reno

Practical forests and woodlands advice you can trust

Providing information, programs and training grounded in research to help residents, agencies and other stakeholders sustainably manage Nevada's trees.

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Nevada Youth Range Camp Program

Living With Fire

Conservation & Sustainability

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How do I get water rights for my farm in Nevada?

Buying land in Nevada to farm? That’s just the first step—legal water access is critical. Learn how to verify, transfer, or acquire water rights, and why working with experts is key to staying compliant and avoiding costly penalties or shutdowns.

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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.

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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
Tools in the Toolbox: Different methods for fuels management in Nevada “Fuels management” involves reducing the amount of vegetation in an area to reduce the intensity and spread of potential wildfires. Understanding the different methods of fuels management is crucial for residents in high-fire- hazard areas that want to reduce their wildfire risk. Kay, M., Restaino, C., Sorensen, M. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-24-13
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