Chadron – The Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands, Pine Ridge Ranger District continues to make progress on reforestation efforts with planting ponderosa pine seedlings to areas heavily damaged by high intense burns in the 2012 wildland fires.  The highest priority areas are Roberts Tract, East Ash, Black Hills Overlook, Outrider and areas of the Oglala National Grasslands near Round Top.  The project was initiated in 2014 and will continue for ten years.

Last spring crews planted 42,500 seedlings at Robert’s Tract, and over the past week have planted 41,300 seedlings in the East Ash area, followed in 2016 to plant 40,000 seedlings near Round Top.  Then longer term plans include: planting in the East Ash area toward Highway 385, near Outrider, approximately 10 miles south of Chadron; and near Chadron State Park by the Black Hills Overlook.

This reforestation project is intended to assist natural regeneration of ponderosa pine forest within the high intense burn areas on the Pine Ridge Ranger District.  Seedlings that are being planted were grown from actually native seeds, or pine cones, that were harvested in 2009 and 2010 and have been stored at the Bessey Nursery Seedbeds. The crews are now planting these seedlings strategically to improve successful growth.

Geri Mason, Acting Pine Ridge District Ranger said, “It is exciting to see this project come full circle, from successfully collecting and storing the seeds in past years, growing them in our local Bessey Nursery and having them available for planting each year.  All the previous hard work has come to fruition to help restore the Pine Ridge District’s forest health.  It’s also timely to be conducting these important reforestation projects with Arbor Day coming next Friday, April 24.”