BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – There aren’t many trees in North Dakota, but the ones we do have provide protection that landowners depend on. Rows of trees protect crops and livestock in our unpredictable climate. They also contribute to the conservation and protection of wildlife. Many of these shelterbelts were affected during the October wildfires.

More than 110,000 acres were burned in the October wildfires in the state’s northwest. These fires damaged or destroyed many windbreaks. Now, a North Dakota Forest Service grant program is offering help.

Any landowner with a damaged shelterbelt can apply, but those affected by the flames will have priority.

“When we talk about shelterbelts, we’re talking about those planted trees that belong to us, whether they’re field shelterbelts in the middle of a field helping to reduce erosion, or windbreaks from farm planted around rural residences trying to keep snow out during the season. winter,” said Matt Olson, forest management manager for the North Dakota Forest Service.

Jodeen Bergstrom-Dean also created the Ray/Tioga Fire Recovery Network Facebook group to be the voice of farmers, connecting them with people and services to help them recover.

“It’s like, okay, how are we going to get the equipment to remove and maintain these rows of trees so they can plant the new trees. And then it’s not just about planting new trees. It will take two to three years to make sure these trees actually take root and grow,” said Bergstrom-Dean, manager of the Ray/Tioga Fire Recovery Network Facebook group.

When a landowner is approved, 75 percent of the repairs will be paid for through the grant while the landowner will pay the remaining 25 percent. The state’s outdoor heritage fund released $900,000 through the grant. Olson says that will be enough to replace many shelterbelts. You can find a link on the North Dakota Forest Service Home Page to apply for these grant funds and have your property appraised.

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