Introducing: The Barred Tiger Salamander! Its superpower is that they are capable of becoming a terrestrial adult OR stay aquatic & still reach maturity! Species that do this are known as neotenic- meaning they retain their gills & remain aquatic into adulthood. #AmphibianWeek

Today we highlight Damon Crowell. Damon started as a seasonal with the Pine Ridge Ranger District spring of 2023 and has since been hired on as a Soldier Creek Fire Crew member. In this image Damon assists in a prescribed burn. Thank you, Damon! Photo: USFS Photo

Wrapping up our thanks for NNFG staff during this Public Recognition Week, we end with a quote from Deputy Forest Supervisor Amanda Gehrt: "I Serve to balance the needs of our natural places with the needs of the people; ensuring a sustainable future from generations to come".

Migratory birds bring biodiversity by spreading seeds along their migration routes, offer enhanced pest control when they return, and some even contribute to the pollination of plants! Thank a migratory bird today 🦆

It's National Wildflowers Week! 🌼🌻 Wildflowers help sustain native ecosystems, contribute to clean air and water, food for humans & wildlife, and aid in creating products we use such as medicines & dyes. May this be a reminder to get 💐 for Mom today! (If that's her thing).

Happy #WildflowerWeek 💮! The Tufted Evening Primrose thrives in the arid prairie climate, its blossoms opening primarily at night to attract nocturnal pollinators. Humans have even discovered the healing properties of this fragrant flower's roots can relieve swelling!

#DYK We maintain 368k miles of roads, 6,700 road bridges, 163k miles of trails, 7.2k trail bridges, 1.5k dams and reservoirs, 1.1k communications sites, 30k recreation sites & 40k buildings. #NationalInfrastructureWeek

Echinacea is a genus of drought-tolerant wildflowers found in prairies and open wooded areas of eastern & central North America. Echinacea has long been used in traditional medicines for ailments like sore throats, colds, headaches, toothaches, and snake bites. #WildflowerWeek

The Bessey Recreation Complex is now open for reservations! Search "Bessey Recreation Complex" at recreation.gov through October 15th! While half of the campsites are always first come/first served, the other half are now available for reservation.

#WildflowersWeek: Sunflowers! 🌻 Found across the Midwest is the Maximilian & Common sunflower. European explorers took sunflowers back to their countries after encountering them in North America. They were bred into the “giant” sunflower heads we see in crop fields today.

Be careful around this flower! 🌵 Purple Pincushions bloom with bright pink to red/purple flowers throughout the spring months of May & June. Pincushions bear small fruits through the summer - though the fruits are small - they can be a food source for wildlife & humans.

For National #WildflowerWeek, the range department at the Bessey Ranger District spread 158lbs of NE forb seed on the Bovee fire scar. The seed - purchased from a NE provider - contained ten different native species including: wild bergamot, showy milkweed, and purple coneflower.

During National EMS Week, we thank our firefighters who work as EMT's on wildland fires. You are crucial to the health and safety of our personnel and communities this #FireYear2024. To all EMT's out there, thank you! #ItTakesAllOfUs. #NationalEMSWeek 📷Photo by Molly Barker

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one." from One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, by Dr. Seuss (1960). May all your tomorrows include time spent having fun outdoors.

🚩ICYMI: There's been a discovery of a tiny hornless deer that lived in SD 32 million years ago! These "Santuccimery" deer likely made NNFG's grasslands, as well as where they were discovered in Badlands Nat'l Park, home! Read more here 👉🏼nps.gov

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If you haven't seen it already, check out May's edition of Around the Forest Service to see what we've been up to lately. youtube.com/watch?v=kHJl9_…

Look out for the new little ones out there while you're exploring our forests and grasslands!

If you're planning to celebrate the 4th of July in your national forests and grasslands this year, let the stars be your fireworks! Remember, fireworks and explosives are always prohibited in national forests and grasslands. fs.usda.gov/features/let-s…