On Saturday, Oct. 18, visitors and families gathered at the E.O. Siecke State Forest in Newton County, Texas, to commemorate its centennial year.
Over 20 exhibitors were in attendance, including natural resource and first responder partners. Visitors experienced hands-on activities and an immersive tour through Texas’ first state forest, learning about its history, pioneering silvicultural research and practices and original fire lookout tower.
The Siecke State Forest centennial event was the third and final event hosted by Texas A&M Forest Service in a year-long state forest centennial recognition that included centennial celebrations at the W.G. Jones and I.D. Fairchild State Forests.
“The Siecke State Forest has been home to many firsts in Texas forestry, starting with its acquisition and management by our agency,” said Jake Donellan, Texas A&M Forest Service Field Operations Chief. “Our centennial events have provided a glimpse into forestry research and progress from across 10 decades, and it is our hope that Texans will continue to enjoy their legacy for generations to come.”
Texas A&M Forest Service owns and manages five state forests and two arboretums which serve as demonstration forests and educational classrooms that welcome thousands of visitors and horseback riders annually. Essential silvicultural research and outreach take place on state forests, often in collaboration with natural resource partners.
The Siecke State Forest, originally named State Forest No. 1, was the first state forest acquired by Texas A&M Forest Service in 1924. At the time, the majority of the property was cutover and severely burned. Immediately following its acquisition of the forest, agency foresters began reforestation efforts which led to impactful forestry developments and a positive regional economic impact.
Through intensive silvicultural efforts, the first operational planting of slash pine in Texas was established on the forest due to its rapid height growth, survival and resistance to tip-moth damage. The rise in success of slash pine plantations on the forest and throughout East Texas led to the construction of the Southland Paper Mill—the first southern yellow pine newsprint mill—in Lufkin, Texas.
The first steel fire lookout tower in Texas, standing at 80 feet, was constructed on the forest in 1926 and was a critical asset for lookout men and women to spot and locate forest fires from rising smoke. During its first year in use, 135 fires were detected from this tower.
The forest was dedicated and renamed to the E.O. Siecke State Forest in 1951 to recognize the contributions of Eric O. Siecke, who served as the agency’s second director and state forester.
Today, the 1,700-acre forest and its remnants, including the first fire tower and pine plantation, still stand as a testament of a century-long beginning for forestry research and advancement in Texas.
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