News and Events

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December 18, 2025 windstorm:

  • Many areas in the Black Hills experienced wind damage from the December 18 storm. Trees were uprooted or snapped causing significant damage. Now that cleanup is underway, it is important to note that the downed trees and limbs can be an attractant to the pine engraver beetle. The beetles use green slash to survive and although the beetles are not active this time of year, the downed woody material can remain green throughout the winter and spring. So when they emerge next April/May, we may see a boom in their numbers. Dr. John Ball, SDSU Forest Health Specialist, recently published an article in the Tree Pest Alert about the windstorm and the potential pine engraver beetle outbreak. He offers advice on how to best handle the downed debris to avoid/minimize any beetle issues. Options include: lop and scatter slash, chip or masticate slash, and cut logs into 2-foot lengths – all options hasten wood dry out. Also, avoid piling brush into small piles (6-8 feet in size). Small piles can attract beetles when they emerge in the spring.
  • Note: if you plan on thinning your property, it is recommended that you avoid thinning between Mid-April and September when beetles are active.
  • Cost-share funding opportunity: the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has approved Emergency Forest Restoration Assistance for Custer, Fall River, Lawrence, and Pennington counties. Cost-share funds are to address damages from the severe wind storm that occurred December 18, 2025. If approved, cost-share can be used for debris removal (including hazard tree removal), woody residue treatment, and fence repair/replacement. Interested landowners in Custer county should contact the FSA office in Hot Springs (745-5716, ext. 2) for additional information and for an application.

Newsletters:

Calendar of events:

  • Burning Beetle Learning Event in Custer, on Thursday, January 15, at 6:30 PM. The event is titled “Living in Community in Our Forested Environment” and will be held at the Pine Room in the Custer County Courthouse Annex (447 Crook St).
Informational workshops:
  • South Dakota Family Forests Association:
    • Future and past workshop information available here
  • SD DANR Forest Health workshops available online:
  • District Workshops:
    • March 2s, 2025, Landowner workshop: Forestry Management in Action: The District hosted a landowner forestry workshop at the Argyle VFD Fire Hall. Speakers provided information on financial assistance programs, tree pests & diseases, and reducing wildfire risks around your home & property.
    • August 21, 2024, Landowner workshop: Beaver Dam Analog Structures: The District partnered with SD Game, Fish & Parks to host a workshop on Beaver Dam Analog (BDA) structures. BDAs mimic beaver dams by reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, increasing water availability, and providing wildlife habitat. More details available in the informational flyer (click here for workshop flyer).
    • Soil Health and Sustainability Landowner Meeting, June 16, 2023: The Custer Conservation District partnered with the Pennington Conservation District and NRCS to host a soil health workshop on June 16 in Rapid City. See informational flyer here.
Other News:

 

Recent pine defoliation near Pringle:
  • An outbreak of pine loopers was documented east of Pringle in the summer of 2022 and 2023. The larvae (caterpillars) defoliated ponderosa pines near Beaver Creek Rd and surrounding area. For information on the pine looper, read Dr. John Ball’s article in a recent ‘Tree Pest Alert‘ newsletter (click link, see page 2).

Pine looper Pine looper Pine looper defoliation