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Forest Service Resources and Tools for Open Space Conservation

The Forest Service has tools to share in addition to a wealth of staff expertise. The agency can supply useful data and information to local governments, identify areas of special risk or need, and offer programs to help conserve open space and to develop with the least impact on wildlife, water, clean air, and other open space benefits. To stem the tide of open space loss takes working at multiple scales —nationally, regionally, and locally—and tailoring approaches to fit geographic regions.

The following highlights give a sampling of what the Forest Service brings to the table through Research and Development, State and Private Forestry, and the National Forest System.

Research and Development
State And Private Forestry
National Forest System

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT—PROVIDING USEFUL INFORMATION
Forest Service scientists work throughout the country to assess the biological, physical,
and social dimensions of managing our Nation’s forests and grasslands. Researchers work at six regional research stations and numerous partner universities, and offer a wide range of expertise in natural resource conservation and management.

For general information about Forest Service research and to access the regional research stations, visit: www.fs.fed.us/research

Useful research products range from scientific publications to comprehensive resource assessments. Assessments give an in-depth picture of the consequences of land use changes nationwide, both nationally and regionally.

Some recent assessments include:

The Forest Service research branch also conducts an ongoing forest census that provides data and maps about current forest conditions and trends. This information can be accessed at: www.fia.fs.fed.us

* These assessments were led by State and Private Forestry in collaboration with Research and Development

STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY—OFFERING PROGRAMS TO CONSERVE OPEN SPACE [top]
The Forest Service offers a number of programs to help landowners and communities conserve and manage forests. These programs are administered in partnership with States, with the local contact typically being staff from State Forest Service agencies. Relevant programs include:

  • The Forest Legacy Program.  This program purchases land and establishes conservation easements to protect environmentally important forests.
    www.fs.fed.us/cooperativeforestry
  • The Forest Stewardship and Forest Land Enhancement Programs.  These programs provide technical and financial forestry assistance to landowners to help them develop and implement stewardship plans. The plans help landowners manage their forests sustainably so their open space continues to provide multiple benefits to the public.
    www.fs.fed.us/cooperativeforestry
  • Urban & Community Forestry.  This program provides assistance to communities to help them manage forest resources within cities and towns.
    www.fs.fed.us/ucf

State and Private Forestry also works in partnership with others to develop useful resources and initiatives. A sampling of these efforts include:

  • Green Infrastructure. The Forest Service, in partnership with The Conservation Fund, provides training and information on green infrastructure. Green infrastructure is a strategic approach to conservation that helps communities design and protect networks of green spaces.
    www.greeninfrastructure.net
  • Forest Taxation.  A network of Federal, State, and university experts provide training and outreach to landowners and professionals on the tax code and estate planning. This information helps landowners and their children keep their land as open space.
    www.timbertax.org
  • PrivateLandownerNetwork.org This website was produced through a diverse partnership and provides information and ideas to help landowners manage their forests.
    www.privatelandownernetwork.org
  • ConservationTaxCenter.org The Conservation Tax Center provides up to date information and analysis of tax and estate planning laws, codes, and related information.
    www.conservationtaxcenter.org

NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM—BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR [top]
The Forest Service manages over 190 million acres of public land. In some counties, these lands comprise upwards of 80 percent of the land base. A strong relationship between local communities and national forest staff is vital.

Development trends and local land use plans have a direct impact on the public land and the Forest Service’s ability to manage this land for recreation, wildlife, and wildfire protection. Similarly, Forest Service decisions about use of the national forests have direct impacts on the quality of life for local residents and economic opportunities.

The Forest Service strives to be a good neighbor and to work in partnership with communities and landowners along national forest boundaries. If you are interested in working with a nearby national forest, contact the forest supervisor or local district ranger. Ideas for how communities and national forests can work together include:

  • Communicate! Share information about current and potential land use decisions.
  • Include each other in planning sessions, whether it is for forest plans or local comprehensive plans.
  • Make use of local Forest Service staff’s biological and resource management expertise to help identify conservation needs and priorities.
  • Jointly develop community protection plans to reduce potential loss of life and property from wildfires.
  • Seek funds through the Land and Water Conservation Fund to add critical open space to the national forests, and to buffer the public land from encroachment.
  • Consider the impacts of public land decisions on the local economy and subsequent spin-off impacts on private open space.

For contacts and other information about your local national forest or national grassland, visit www.fs.fed.us and search under “Find a Forest or Grassland.”