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US Forest Service highlights expansion of restoration of national forests and funding for Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration projects

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new report, Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on our National Forests, that outlines a strategy and series of actions for management on 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

New forest planning rule seeks to restore the nation’s forests through science, collaboration

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today signaled the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s intent to issue a new planning rule for America’s 193-million acre National Forest System that seeks to deliver stronger protections for forests, water, and wildlife while supporting the economic vitality of our rural communities, by releasing online a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule. Today’s action honors the commitment made by Secretary Vilsack in his 2009 speech on forest management, and by the President in the America’s Great Outdoors Report.

Learn more about the Planning Rule

• Planning Rule teleconference recording (26 January 2012)
• Applications being accepted for members to serve on National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the new planning rule
• Planning Rule 101
• Proposed Rule (PDF) and Draft Environmental Impact Statement
• Frequently Asked Questions
• CEQ Planning Rule Blog

Alaska, California, Idaho, New Mexico and Puerto Rico national forests selected as first to implement a new planning rule

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2012 --  The U.S. Forest Service today announced eight national forests that will be the first to revise their land management plans using a new National Forest System Planning Rule, after it is finalized in the months ahead.

US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management announce 2012 grazing fee

Washington, Jan. 31, 2012 -- The federal grazing fee for 2012 will be $1.35 per head month (HM) for lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and $1.35 per animal unit month (AUM) for public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

USDA appoints new members to the Forest Resource Coordinating Committee

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today appointed eight members to the Forest Resource Coordinating Committee, which provides advice on private forestry and USDA's programs that assist landowners in managing their forests.

Forest Service grants $52.2M to protect working forests, rural economies

The U.S. Forest Service announced today that it is granting $52.2 million for 17 conservation and working lands projects across the U.S. in 2012.

Administration continues push to promote outdoor recreation, tourism

Following on President Obama's announcement yesterday of steps he's taking to help boost U.S. tourism, the Administration today announced an online effort to enhance access to information on public lands and outdoor recreation.

Faces of the Forest: Neal "Mike" Ward
At 83, Neal “Mike” Ward shows few signs of slowing down. As a full-time employee of the U.S. Forest Service’s Southern Research Station, Ward is part of the team that keeps the building and equipment running. A life-long learner, Ward also enjoys discussing the latest research with scientists.

Paradise found? Free snowshoe walks on California’s Lassen National Forest offered this winter

Crisp, sunny winter days are an invitation to play in and enjoy the great outdoors and the Lassen National Forest in California has just the ticket for people of all ages to enjoy!

The forest’s Almanor Ranger District will host a series of free snowshoe walks this winter, giving participants the opportunity to observe beautiful mountain landscapes, and to learn about winter survival, winter safety, and trees and wintering animals on the forest.

Forest Service partners with world-renowned Missoula Children’s Theatre for performance in Washington, D.C., area

“The Missoula Children’s Theatre and Forest Service partnership is a natural fit because so many of our important initiatives encourage children to discover and understand the natural world while developing healthy lifestyles,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. 

500 Florida school kids adopt new skills learned in the great outdoors

What makes 500 middle and high school kids from area schools near Tallahassee, Fla., happy?  Getting outside and embracing the great outdoors during a week-long U.S. Forest Service event known as ‘More Kids in the Woods.’

Protecting working forests

The Forest Legacy Program uses a nationally competitive process to strategically select ecologically and socially important projects facing the greatest threat of conversion to other land uses. 

Forests in Arizona train veterans

Civilian life is unlike that of military life in the service.  Two forests, the Apache-Sitgreaves and the Prescott National Forest have recently developed programs to help veterans in their transition to civilian life.

Orphaned bear cubs return home to the Sierra National Forest

Biologists will monitor the cubs’ movement for about one year by using small GPS tracking devices they attached to each cub before their release.

Local ski communities to get boost in year-round resort use

The Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, signed late this year by President Barack Obama, permits year-round recreation opportunities on U.S. Forest Service ski areas. The change is estimated to sustain up to 600 extra jobs and bring in a total of an additional $40 million to local communities in direct spending. Potential permitted activities may include zip lines, mountain bike terrain parks and trails, Frisbee golf courses, and ropes courses.

America’s national forests and grasslands have a large economic impact

Because of forest activities, thousands of jobs are supported in hundreds of rural communities. A recent survey shows visitors spend $13 billion directly in those communities within 50 miles of the national forests and grasslands.