W.G. Jones State Forest centennial celebrated in greater Houston

NEWSROOM: W.G. JONES STATE FOREST CENTENNIAL CELEBRATED IN GREATER HOUSTON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 19, 2024

W.G. JonesState Forest centennial celebrated in greater Houston

CONROE, Texas-Today, community members gathered to kick off the year-long Texas state forest centennial celebration at the W.G. Jones State Forest in Conroe, Texas.

Thirty-five exhibitors, including natural resource partners, were in attendance. Visitors experienced emergency response vehicles, received tree seedlings, fished at the forest's lakes, participated in forest therapy hikes with Dr. Daniel Porter and learned about different species living in the forest.

"Today was a culmination of forestry and conservation we have pioneered at Texas A&M Forest Service for over a century now," said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service Director. "Our state forests are extremely vital to local ecosystems, and they offer access to tens of thousands of visitors annually to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of forests."

Presentations at today's festival included topics about Texas state forest history, Red-cockaded woodpecker conservation efforts, health benefits of forest exposure and featured a demonstration by Chikawa Aztec Dance and Traditions.

The Texas state forest centennial celebration honors a century of sustainable forestry practices occurring in state forests across East Texas. State Forest No. 1, now E.O. Siecke State Forest, was the first state forest to be acquired by Texas A&M Forest Service. State Forest No. 2, now W.G. Jones State Forest, was acquired in 1926.

Texas A&M Forest Service owns and operates five state forests that serve as working demonstration forests and educational classrooms that welcome thousands of visitors and horseback riders. Forestry practices such as prescribed burning and timber thinning and harvesting are performed on state forests. Texas state forests are managed by Texas A&M Forest Service Foresters, and some forestry practices at the forests are conducted in collaboration with Texas state agency natural resource partners.

"State forests provide a great opportunity for the public to see and learn about land stewardship and sustainable forest management practices in action while enjoying the forest," said Billy Whitworth, Texas A&M Forest Service Area Operations Chief. "State forests also provide a unique opportunity to train our personnel in various fire suppression and forest management techniques."

At 1,700 acres, the W.G. Jones State Forest is one of the nation's largest managed state forests. This forest is comprised of loblolly and shortleaf pine tree plantations. The forest is also notable for its sanctuary for the federally endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) population.

The W.G. Jones State Forest was named after W. Goodrich Jones in 1949. Jones is known as the father of Texas forestry, as he brought innovative silvicultural practices to Texas, helped form the Texas Forestry Association in 1914, lobbied for the inception of the Texas Department of Forestry in 1915 and established Texas Arbor Day in 1889.

Two additional celebration events will be held at the I.D. Fairchild State Forest on April 26, 2025, and E.O. Siecke State Forest in fall 2025.

Learn more about Texas State Forests here: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/StateForest100.aspx

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Photos: Content from today's event linked here may be used for all media needs. https://agrilife.photoshelter.com/galleries/C00004ctr0uNLkTQ/G00002yfXh6wyX1E/20241019-W-G-Jones-State-Forest-Centennial-Celebration

Texas A&M Forest Service Contacts:
Communications Office, [email protected], 979-458-6606

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