USDA Forest Service
Bell Rock, Coconino National Forest, Arizona Banner: Southwestern Region, Caring for the Land and Serving People
   

About Us

In Arizona and New Mexico, 22.3 million acres comprise the Southwestern Region with 11 national forests and 3 national grasslands (1 grassland each in New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma). The region ranges in elevation from 1,600 feet above sea level and an annual rain fall of 8 inches in Arizona's lower Sonoran Desert to 13,171-foot high Wheeler Peak and over 35 inches of precipitation a year in northern New Mexico. more about us »

Regional Spotlight

ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Logo: Economic RecoveryMany of the communities most affected by the economic downturn are located near national forests. Using funding from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Forest Service will create and maintain private sector jobs for communities by funding projects to remove hazardous biomass, restore watersheds, repair trails, bridges and roads, and make fish passage improvements. We will also update facilities to increase their efficiency in the use of energy and water. For more information on Economic Recovery, see http://www.recovery.gov.


FOREST PLAN REVISION
The U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region has begun the process of revising the Land Management Plans for national forests in Arizona and New Mexico and national grasslands in portions of Oklahoma and Texas. more about plan revision »


[Photo] Buffalo Humps Village from the movie Commanche MoonFILM PERMITS
National forests are a popular location for the commercial filming and still photography industries.  Many motion pictures, television series and commercials have been filmed on the national forests of Arizona and New Mexico. more details about film permits »


TRAVEL MANAGEMENT RULE
Driver on an off-highway vehicleA new regulation governing off-highway vehicles and other motor vehicle use on national forests and grasslands has been announced that requires each national forest or ranger district to designate those roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicle use. more on the rule »


BARK BEETLE INFORMATION
Bark BeetleHave you noticed the recent mortality of pine trees throughout the Southwest? Most of the mortality is a result of the current drought and the resulting bark beetle outbreak. Get the latest information on the effects of large bark beetle outbreaks across Arizona and New Mexico.

National Initiatives

Emphasis Areas

The Forest Service has always risen to the great conservation challenges of our time and with this in mind Abigail Kimbell, Chief of the Forest Service, has identified three themes in particular that have stood out: climate change; water issues; and the loss of a connection to nature, especially for kids. The emphasis areas are discussed in more detail on the Emphasis Area page.

For a better understanding of what the Forest Service is doing to address these three emphasis areas, climate change, water and kids in the woods, please click on the links below.


Climate Change
A waterfall image with a person sitting nearby.
A small baby squeezing the nose of Smokey Bear.

REGIONAL NEWS

Forest Service Seeks Collaborative Forest Restoration Grant Proposals, 1/8
We are seeking grant proposals for forest restoration projects on public and tribal lands in New Mexico by 5 p.m., MST, Monday, March 1, 2010. more on CFRP grants proposals »

Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Annual Workshop, January 20-22, 2010, 1/7
The Collaborative Forest Restoration Program (CFRP) 2010 workshop will be held in Santa Fe, NM, at the Santa Fe Community College, Jemez Rooms, 6401 Richards Avenue, 505-428-1000. more on the workshop »

 

NATIONAL NEWS

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

USDA Forest Service Invites Comments on Concession Campground Policy (Dec. 4)

more national news »

 

HEY KIDS

Text Image: Where the Other You Lives There's a nifty little booklet called "The Book of Stuff to Do Outside". Print it from the "What To Do" link at: discovertheforest.org/.

 

ROADLESS

Visit the Roadless Website.

 

SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS

Reauthorization for Fiscal Years 2008--2011
During the week of  January 12, 2009 the Forest Service began distributing more than $477 million to 41 states and Puerto Rico for improvements to public schools, roads and county projects. more on funding projects under this act »

 

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 Web site. The survey gathers no personal information about you. We hope you will take time to respond! more about our web survey »

 

 

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Information on how to submit a FOIA or PA request to the Forest Service.

Southwest Coordination Center
SWCC monitors wildfire potential, weather, and wildland fire use within the Southwestern Region.
USA Jobs
The Federal Government's official job site.
Campsite Reservations
Many cabins and campgrounds on National Forests can be reserved ahead of time by phone or online.
Public Lands Info
Maps, brochures, teaching items, books, etc about public lands in the West may be found here.
  

Southwestern Region
333 Broadway SE [map]
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 842-3292
TTY: (505) 842-3198

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U.S. Forest Service - Southwestern Region
Last Modified: Tuesday, 26 January 2010 at 15:57:12 EST


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