About Us

The overriding objective of the Forest Service's forest management program is to ensure that the National Forests are managed in an ecologically sustainable manner. The National Forests were originally envisioned as working forests with multiple objectives: to improve and protect the forest, to secure favorable watershed conditions, and to furnish a continuous supply of timber for the use of citizens of the United States. Forest management objectives have since expanded and evolved to include ecological restoration and protection, research and product development, fire hazard reduction, and the maintenance of healthy forests. Guided by law, regulation, and agency policy, Forest Service forest managers use timber sales, as well as other vegetation management techniques such as prescibed fire, to achieve these objectives. These activities have captured substantial public attention, and in some cases, become hotly debated issues.

• A Historical Perspective
  A historical perspective of Forest Service forest management.
• Today
  Forest management in the latter part of the 20th Century.
• An Ecological Perspective
  Forest management's role in managing vegetation, restoring ecosystems, reducing hazards, and maintaining forest health.
• Planning for Future
  Forest planning guides forest management.
• Laws & Regulations
  Information about laws, regulations and policies directing Forest Service forest management.

Last modified: Friday, 02-Dec-2005 18:11:46 EST