The Nontarget Impacts program helps forestry clientele make informed decisions on controlling insect and pathogen outbreaks. In efforts to mitigate the impacts of pests that may pose a hazard to human health, interfere with recreational opportunity, reduce the general health of forests, alter wildlife habitat, or interfere with the local economy, suppression activities may adversely affect non-targeted species. The Nontarget Impacts program is designed to document the impact on specific nontarget organisms (plants and animals) and determine the ripple effect of a particular strategy on the forest ecosystem as a whole. The Nontarget Impacts program primarily serves federal and state agency personnel who are responsible for implementation of forest ecosystem management and policy. Other who do or would benefit from program services include the National Forests, Bureau of Land Management, Agricultural Research Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspections Service, and various state natural resource organizations. Among successful development areas are:

• A database of insecticide impacts on nontarget organisms in the North American forest ecosystem created in cooperation with the Canadian Forest Service.
• A book, Field Guide to Native Oak Species of Eastern North America

• Advising clients on the possible adverse ecological effects associated with management strategies
  
• Determining changes in nontarget populations
  
• Monitoring of nontarger organisms associated with suppression and eradication projects
  
• Assisting with environmental impact statements (EIS)

• Insecticide impacts on nontarget organisms of the North American forest ecosystem database, created in cooperation with the Canadian Forest Service
  
• Documentation of nontarget microlepdoptera on eastern species of oak (Quercus spp.)
  
• Illustrated key to native species of eastern oaks (non-target hosts)