LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will soon begin forest-thinning projects at Chadron State Park and Keller Park State Recreation Area. The projects are set to begin sometime in October, depending upon weather conditions, and may continue through the end of 2014.

The Chadron project is designed to remove dead and dying ponderosa pine trees that were killed by wildfire in 2012. Thinning will take place on 106 acres near park cabins along the scenic loop road. The cut trees will be chipped by a contractor or burned at a later date.

The Keller project will remove excess red cedar – potential fuel for wildfire – in the understory of native bur oak and ponderosa pine woodlands. The project, on 10.9 acres south of the park entrance road, also will improve aesthetics and access for park visitors. Approximately 75 percent of the thinned material will be chipped during the project and the remainder will be burned later.

The Nebraska Forest Service has endorsed both projects as fire-wise forest wildfire prevention projects and will pay approximately 50 percent of the costs with funds from the United States Forest Service.

Contact Mike Groenewold at 402-471-5498 or [email protected]for more information.