CARSON CITY — The Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) is working with other state and federal agencies to begin rehabilitation of state and private lands and critical wildlife habitat damaged by the 2012 wildfire season. More than 680,000 acres burned statewide. Additionally, more than 350 miles of bull dozer line, constructed on both public and private lands to suppress these fires, requires rehabilitation to prevent erosion and the spread of invasive plant species.

Reestablishing vegetation after a fire will help mitigate the expansion of cheatgrass and other invasive species, and restoring native vegetation will help a variety of wildlife species such as Sage-Grouse.

NDF is working with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) to collect and purchase native and adaptive seeds to reestablish vegetation in burned areas, and both agencies are working with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to share resources for reseeding efforts.

To date, NDF’s seedbank has purchased more than $100,000 of seed and has collected more than 1000 pounds of sagebrush, forage Kochia and four-wing salt brush seed through volunteer efforts organized by NDOW and by utilizing NDF’s conservation camp crews. To further aid rehabilitation efforts, NDF’s state tree nurseries are growing sagebrush and bitterbrush for use throughout the state.

If private landowners would like to discuss rehabilitation of their lands affected by fires, contact the local NDF office and ask for the resource management officer. Reacj the northern and northeastern Nevada officer at 738-3454.

For more information, visit www.forestry.nv.gov or call the Nevada Division of Forestry at 684-2500.