North Central Soil Conservation District

08/27/2026

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has now been confirmed in Burleigh County. This is tough news, especially since that area supplies many of the green ash trees used in our county projects.

🔎Because EAB can be difficult to detect in its early stages, some experts believe it may often be present longer than initially realized before a formal detection occurs. This new confirmation raises important questions about how far EAB may have progressed and reinforces the need for increased awareness and monitoring.

What this means for our county:
🌳• We’ll be reducing reliance on green ash in future plantings.
🌳• Renovation plans will adjust for the likelihood of EAB in our region.
🌳• Monitoring efforts will increase across shelterbelts and community plantings.
🌳• Wood‑movement restrictions from quarantined areas may affect availability of ash material.

We’ll continue sharing updates and guidance as more information becomes available. If you see signs of possible EAB, please reach out.

Emerald ash borer detected in Bismarck https://www.ndda.nd.gov/news/emerald-ash-borer-detected-bismarck

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

Apply now for NRCS programs: EQIP, CSP, and ACEP.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): EQIP provides producers with the technical and financial resources they need to address resources concerns on their land including improved water and air quality, increased soil health, reduced soil erosion, improved natural vitality and more.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): CSP helps producers build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening their operation.
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP): The Agricultural Land Easement component of ACEP enables producers to protect their agricultural land from development by enrolling it in a permanent Agricultural Land Easement. The Wetland Reserve Easement component of ACEP helps landowners protect, restore and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses.
NRCS accepts applications throughout the year; however, North Dakota producers should submit theirs by September 18, 2026, to be considered for FY2027 funding.

08/24/2026

‼️Pine wilt disease has now been confirmed in North Dakota, and it hits Scotch pine especially hard! They often die, within a single season, once infected. Many of us in Benson County still have Scotch pines in our shelterbelts, so this is something we should all keep an eye on.

🚫There’s no treatment, and the only way to slow it down is to remove and destroy infected trees right away.

Because our county works best when we look out for one another:
If you notice a Scotch, Austrian, or Mugo pine rapidly browning or dying, please speak up. Report it through the ND Forest Service Sick Tree Assistance form or reach out to Extension.

A quick call can help protect our neighbors’ windbreaks and the shelterbelts we all depend on.
Let’s keep Benson County’s trees standing strong.

A new threat to North Dakota's conifers has been confirmed this week: pine wilt disease. This discovery will have a great impact on our state's windbreaks and community forest resources, as non-native species of pine (like Scotch pine) are a commonly used tree in these settings.

While investigating mortality in Scotch pine trees, our Forest Health staff tentatively identified pine wilt disease in Ransom County at Sheyenne River State Forest and in Sargent County near Forman, ND. The finding was confirmed on August 11, 2026, by the South Dakota State University plant pathology lab.

To learn more about this disease and how it could affect your trees, visit https://bit.ly/NDPineWilt

08/05/2026

Just a reminder to everyone!
Tomorrow is the big day!!! 🎉 We are so excited to see everyone attend!

Here’s an upcoming event you may be interested in: the North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award and NDGLC Summer Tour will take place on Thursday, August 6 at 10 AM CT at Maddock Ranch near Esmond.

RSVP by July 30 at ndglc.com/events.

There is no cost to attend, and lunch will be provided.
This tour features the 2025 Leopold Conservation Award recipients, the Brian and Vicki Maddock Family, along with support from several conservation partners.

07/26/2026

07/17/2026

Here’s an upcoming event you may be interested in: the North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award and NDGLC Summer Tour will take place on Thursday, August 6 at 10 AM CT at Maddock Ranch near Esmond.

RSVP by July 30 at ndglc.com/events.

There is no cost to attend, and lunch will be provided.
This tour features the 2025 Leopold Conservation Award recipients, the Brian and Vicki Maddock Family, along with support from several conservation partners.

07/16/2026

Soil Health Field Day is happening on August 4th in Bisbee!
This free event includes hands‑on demonstrations and a free lunch.
📍 Location: 5350 78th Street NE, Bisbee
🔗 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/regsoilhealth
📱 You can also use the QR code on the poster to sign up.

There will be a great lineup of knowledgeable speakers and specialists from NDSU, Ducks Unlimited, Cargill, NRCS, ND Game & Fish, ScanIt Technology, and several others who will be sharing their expertise throughout the day.

Hope you can make it!

06/04/2026

Here is the list of available trees! 🌲

We DO NOT have any spruce (Christmas) trees available. Quantities are not listed and may be as little as one tree available. Please remember this is a first come, first serve basis!

Please pass this on!

05/19/2026

We had such an incredible day celebrating with local students as they planted Toka plum and spruce trees, learned about conservation, and took part in hands‑on demonstrations.

🌾A huge thank‑you to Adam Flaagan for hosting and getting everyone energized, and to Cody Clemenson and Noah Schaeffer for sharing thoughtful messages about the importance of trees and caring for our environment.

✏We’re grateful for the amazing teachers and school staff who helped guide students throughout the day. Your support made everything run smoothly.

🚒A special shoutout to the Fire Department, who came out to water the newly planted trees and even gave kids a chance to try out the fire hoses.

Thank you to ND Forest Service, NRCS, NDSU, and all the volunteers who made this event such a meaningful and memorable experience.

A beautiful day of planting, learning, teamwork, and community spirit! 🌳💚