Extension Forester
  University of Nebraska
South Central Agricultural Laboratory

• M.F. Forestry, Duke University, 1978
• B.A. Biology, Doane College, 1976

 Email: sdewald1@unl.edu

  Phone: (402) 762-4412

  Fax: (402) 762-4411

Nebraska Forest Service: (75% appointment)

Forestry efforts in South Central Nebraska strive to promote the tree resource potential in both urban and rural areas through proper management, planning, protection, enhancement, and educational programs.  The tree resource in Nebraska provides many contributions to its citizens.  Goals are developed to ensure its continuance and productivity.  Past accomplishments, current programs, and future goals are all directed towards addressing these responsibilities.

Forestry Extension efforts in South Central Nebraska are primarily focused on the education of people in both the public and private sectors on tree resource management.  Information materials and workshops are developed to address woodland areas in poor condition suffering from herbicide damage, grazing, improper harvesting, and lack of good forestry management.  The same is true for community forestry.  Community forestry is improving but many of the people responsible for community tree care still need training in tree selection, placement, and maintenance. Environmental education of youth is another important aspect of the Forestry Extension Program.  Environmental education materials including "Project Learning Tree", "Project Wet", and "Project Wild" are used in training staff and students in 4-H, Water Festivals, and school systems in the district.

Publications:

Significant Program Achievements:

Rural Forestry Assistance (RFA)

Technical services provided to owners of rural land include designing tree planting for windbreaks & wildlife habitat, timber production, windbreak renovation, timber stand improvements, harvesting assistance, and writing comprehensive forest management plans.  In addition, the service programs include assistance to the industry in the marketing and utilization of forest products.  This includes working with sawmills, logging crews, and landowners to improve capabilities in marketing Nebraska's forest products and to increase the utilization of our existing forest resources.
RFA Accomplishments:
• Annual on-the-ground assistance ot over 75 landowners
• 20-25 management plans prepared each year
• 2-3 workshops/meeting each year directed to agency staff and/or landowners on tree resource management (Acreage Owners Workshops, Timber Management, etc.)
• Facilitator in the organization of a "Red Cedar Management Task Force" to review the current status of Red cedar as a resource and its utilization potential for forest products on private lands

Primary focus of Community Forestry Assistance is to improve the tree resource in the communities of our cities, towns, and villages.  This would include providing services for Urban Forest Inventories/Assessments, development and implementation of community forestry plans, and a wide variety of community level projects.  Often this requires the cooperation with on-going grant funded programs and national programs such as TREE CITY USA through the Arbor Day Foundation.

CFA Accomplishments:

Annual "Tree Care Workshops" for professionals

35% of the communities in South Central Nebraska have completed inventories/assessments

Statewide "Trees 'N Town" Community Forestry Conference is held every 2 years in South Central Nebraska

Several tree care, selection, and maintenance workshops for homeowners & city employees are conducted annually

Extension Programs are often education efforts supplementing existing urban and rural forestry projects.  This would include "Tree Care Workshops", State-wide Forestry Shortcourses, Workshops for other government agencies (NRCS, Game & Parks, etc.), and youth education.  Environmental education for youth in 4-H, schools, Girl and Boy Scout troops, etc. has been a major effort the past several years.  One program utilized in this effort has been Project Learning Tree.  Sponsored by the Nebraska Forest Service, this program teaches basic conservation principles and uses activities to illustrate them.
Extension Forest Accomplishments:
• A District newsletter to cooperators
• Environmental education to over 500 youth at Water Festivals and Conservation Programs in the District
• Annual training of over 40 teachers and other youth educators with Project Learning Tree, Project Wild, and Project Wet materials
• Numerous workshops on tree care, selection, maintenance, and timber/windbreak management

• National Arbor Day Foundation
• National Society of American Foresters
• American Forestry Association
• National Walnut Council
• National Nut Growers Association
• Nebraska Nut Growers Association
• Nebraska Christmas Tree Growers Association
• Nebraska Arboretum
• Nebraska Chapter of Walnut Council
• Friend of Tree City USA
• Great Plains Chapter of Society of American Foresters

• Management of a Christmas Tree Farm and Black Walnut Plantation.
• President of the Thayer County Farm Bureau Board

• Nebraska Project Learning Tree
• Project Wild Training
• Nebraska Natural Resources Commission
• Great Outdoor Recreation Pages
• National Arbor Day Foundation
• Nebraska Extension Forestry Publications
• Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

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