Welcome

The Forest Service was established in 1905 and is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Forest Service manages public lands in national forests and grasslands, which encompass 193 million acres.

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Tom Tidwell Named 17^th Chief of USDA Forest Service

"The Forest Service focus on restoration will be closely tied to  landscape-scale conservation. Especially in an era of climate change, we need to restore the resilience of America's forests to disturbances of all kinds. The treatments needed will improve watershed health, increase water quality, build community prosperity, and meet our shared vision of healthy sustainable forests."

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Secretary Vilsack's Speech on the New Direction and Vision for America's Forests and Chief Tidwell's message to the Forest Service

On August 14, 2009, USDA Secretary Vilsack outlined his vision for the future of our nation's forests. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell filmed an accompanying video stating his message to the Forest Service in light of the Secretary's speech. For more information please refer to links below. For more information:

Learn more about Secretary Vilsack's speech and Chief Tidwell's remarks

ARRA Projects

Many of the communities most affected by the economic downturn are located near national forests. Using funding from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act we'll create jobs that support our mission of sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

View the Forest Service ARRA Website »

Spotlights

USDA Forest Service Fiscal Year 2011 Budget

The fiscal year (FY) 2011 President’s budget request for the Forest Service totals $5.38 billion in discretionary appropriations, a $23 million program increase over the FY 2010 enacted level. This budget reflects our Nation’s highest priorities, acts to save and create new jobs, and lays a new foundation of economic growth, especially in rural areas.

Learn more about the FY 2011 budget for the Forest Service »

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) Program

The purpose of the CFLR Program is to encourage the collaborative, science-based ecosystem restoration of priority forest landscapes.

Learn more about CFLR »

Forest Service Begins Development of a New Planning Rule

The Forest Service has issued a notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to develop a new planning rule that will provide a framework for management of national forests and grasslands. The 60 day public comment period on the NOI will run from December 18, 2009 to February 16, 2010. There will be multiple opportunities for public involvement throughout the rulemaking process. Visit the planning rule website for further information.

• News Release: USDA Forest Service Launches Collaborative Process for New Planning Rule (Dec. 17)
  
  
• Notice of Intent (PDF)
  
  
• Planning Rule website

FY 2009 Agency Financial Report

The Forest Service Agency Financial Report - Fiscal Year 2009 is now available. As required by law, this document integrates the Forest Service's financial statements for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2009 and 2008, with Management's Discussion and Analysis and other required information.

View the FY 2009 Agency Financial Report »

Bark Beetle Information

There are forests in Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota that are experiencing bark beetle epidemics at a historically unprecedented scale.

News Release: Vilsack Announces $40 Million to Address Bark Beetle (Dec. 8)

Transcript: Forest Health Teleconference with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Colorado Governor, Bill Ritter (PDF)

More Bark Beetle Information  »

Forest Service and Climate Change

Forest Service Global Change Research Strategy, 2009-2019  »

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Forest Service Recreation -- Inspiring Passion for the Land

National forests and grasslands provide some of the greatest opportunities for outdoor recreation in the world. Recreation activities are not only fun; they create memories, provide physical challenge, provoke interest, and inspire wonder and awe of the natural world. Recreation contributes greatly to the health of individuals, bonds family and friends, and provides economic benefit to communities. Indeed, outdoor recreation is an essential part of American culture.

Check out the video

Forest Service and Water

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Station Fire Initial Attack Review

The Forest Service has released the review of the initial attack for the Station Fire on the Angeles National Forest.

Read the review of the initial attack for the Station Fire (PDF)

Read Appendicies A and B (PDF)

Read Appendicies C, D and E (PDF)

Features

New Climate Change Awareness Toolkit

Helping to prepare youth to understand their role in addressing environmental issues is an important focus of Forest Service Conservation Education efforts. Environmental education begins with awareness, and builds to increased knowledge and skills. And the goal of environmental education is to lead to action.

With this in mind, the Forest Service’s Conservation Education program, in partnership with EPA and other Federal agencies, designed the "Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands Toolkit" for classroom teachers and informal educators—or anyone with an interest in the environment!

Learn more about the toolkit »

Discover the Forest

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US Forest Service: An Overview

This report states who we are, what we do, and what we might be in the future. Since the printing of this report Tom Tidwell has become the 17^th Chief of the USDA Forest Service.

Read more (PDF) »

Website Information

Web Survey

As you leave our site, a pop-up window may ask you to complete a survey that will help us improve the Forest Service website. The survey gathers no personal information about you. We hope you will take time to respond!

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