Kansas Forest Service
November
Guided Tree Tour, November 8th, 2026
John C. Pair Horticultural Center, 1901 95th Street South, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Explore and discover the John C. Pair Horticultural Center. Learn to recognize common local trees, understand the ecological value of urban trees, and get advice on planting and maintenance.
Tree Care Workshop, November 10th, 2026
Fort Scott, KS, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Join Community Forester Kody Kraemer to learn more about tree care including, tree biology, selection, planting, pruning, and watering. Call 620-244-3826 for additional information!
Wabunsee County Career Exploration, November 10th, 2026
Wabunsee County Fairgrounds, 9:00 am-11:00 am
Join Kansas Forest Service staff to learn more about careers in wildland firefighting and forestry!
Right Tree, Right Place, November 10th, 2026
Zoom, 12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Northwest District Forester, Chelsea Hanson will cover the “Right Tree, Right Place” philosophy. This philosophy follows the idea that if the right tree is selected for a given site and ecosystem, it will be significantly better than a tree that is not suited for the site. Sign up for our Between the Branches Newsletter for the Zoom link: https://kfs.myflodesk.com/communitytrees
Work Capacity Test (Pack Test), November 14th, 2026
Arma Fire Department 313 W South Street, Arma, KS, 8:00 am
This is the Arduous Work Capacity Test. The arduous course requires you to carry 45 pounds of weight on a three-mile, flat course within 45 minutes. You may carry the weight in a vest, backpack, etc., according to your personal preference. You are required to provide the weight you will wear for testing. At the discretion of the proctor, your weights may be measured before and/or after the test. Running during the test is not allowed and may result in disqualification.
This is an outdoor activity; participants are expected to dress appropriately for the weather. In the unlikely event that severe or extreme weather is forecast to occur on the date of training, your instructor will notify you by email of any cancelation or schedule changes. The work capacity test is strenuous; you are advised to train before attempting the test. If you have any doubts about your physical capacity to complete the test or have prior medical conditions, you are asked to consult your physician prior to training and/or testing.
The Work Capacity Test offered by the Kansas Forest Service is open to members of Kansas Fire Departments, certain employees of the State of Kansas, and certain partners of the Kansas Forest Service. The Work Capacity Test is not required by the State of Kansas or the Kansas Forest Service in order for members of a local fire department to respond to fires within the State of Kansas. Local Fire Departments may require the Work Capacity Test for their members at the discretion of the department.
NWCG S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighter Course – Instructor Led Field Day, November 14th, 2026
Arma Fire Department 313 W South Street, Arma, KS, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
This course is the instructor led component of the NWCG: S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighter Course. This is an outdoor, fieldwork course and requires the completion of training evolutions and simulated wildland firefighting. While this course requires some physical activity, it is not excessively strenuous. This course is held outdoors; it is the student’s responsibility to dress appropriately for the weather.
If possible, students should wear wildland firefighting PPE. If wildland firefighting PPE is unavailable, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt may be worn for the training. Student’s shoes should be of sturdy construction; wildland firefighting boots are preferred.
Prerequisite Coursework: NWCG S – 130 Basic Wildland Firefighter Blended Course Online Component, NWCG S – 190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, NWCG L – 180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service, ICS – 100: An Introduction to the Incident Command System, and IS – 700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System.
