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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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	Water	Kids

Spotlight

Capitol Christmas Tree

This year's Capitol Christmas Tree is a gift from the people of Montana. Asking a National Forest to provide “the People’s Tree” as the Capitol Christmas Tree is often called, is a tradition that started in 1970.  Each year since then, a different National Forest and the State in which the Forest is located, are asked provide The Tree, and all of the trimmings as a gift to our nation. The tree Montana picked is a Subalpine Fir. The total height of the tree was 100 ft, and it grew in the Sapphire Mountains of Western Montana in the Bitterroot National Forest. The state of Montana is also providing more than 5000 handmade ornaments as well as more than 70 smaller trees for congressional offices, agencies and organizations.

The Capitol Christmas Tree is not to be confused with the National Christmas Tree, which is planned near the White House and is lit by the President and the First Lady. The Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held on December 2, 2008 at 5.00pm on the west lawn of the United States Capitol Building, where Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi hosted the ceremony and "flipped the switch" to light the 10,000 lights that illuminate the tree.

The tree will be lit until December 29, 2008.

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Secure Rural School and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000

On October 3, 2008, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 was reauthorized as part of Public Law 110-343.  The new law has some significant changes.  The Forest Service is analyzing the new law and providing information to inform decisions that must be made by counties to meet the critical November 14, 2008 deadline that will ensure timely payments are made for fiscal year 2008.

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Climate Change Video

Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges facing all of us. Since conservation of our nation's forests and grasslands is a primary mission of the U.S. Forest Service, we are working in many positive ways to respond to this challenge. We invite you to take a few minutes to watch our new video, The Forest Service and Climate Change, and see for yourself how the rise in global temperatures is affecting our planet and the unique role trees play in helping to slow the impact of climate change.

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Climate Change R&D Map

Discover what the Forest Service's Research and Development program is doing about climate change in your region of the country. Map »

North Shore Scenic Drive – Minnesota

A nationally designated Department of Transportation (DOT) All-American Road, The North Shore Scenic Drive is a 154-mile journey along the majestic shoreline of Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake. From its starting point in Duluth, Minnesota, the byway passes through small towns, historic sites and resorts, as well as eight state parks and the Superior National Forest. Within the National Forest, the byway provides access to more than 2,000 lakes and rivers that provide the traveler unlimited opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in all seasons. Hiking, biking and cross country ski trails are abundant. Camping, picnicking, riding snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles are popular recreational activities for the many visitors who visit this magnificent landscape.

The National Forest System is a major destination and partner with DOT for almost half of the 126 designated All-American Roads and National Scenic Byways. For a complete list of America’s Byways® with detailed maps, directions, visitor services and other information to plan you next trip to one of the 155 National Forest and Grasslands, visit the National Scenic Byways Program website at www.byways.org.

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Celebrating Wildflowers

The dog days of summer are now behind us. Plans for autumn drives and fall hikes are being made in anticipation of nature’s blazing display of fall color; from the golden yellows of aspen in the west to the brilliant reds, orange and yellows of maples in the east. But take just a moment and gaze across the meadows, prairies, and woodlands and behold the regal display of our autumn wildflowers. Members of the aster family dressed in their finest yellows, blues, whites and pinks take center stage. You will delight in what you see as sunflowers, black-eyed Susans, asters, and many more put on a display to rival the wildflowers of spring. Come join us on our national forests and grasslands and enjoy the culmination of the year’s wildflower displays.

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Features

Share the Experience Photo Contest 2008

Calling all outdoor enthusiasts, amateur shutterbugs, wildlife lovers or history buffs! We invite you to share your favorite photos of your visits to America’s Federal Recreation Lands by entering the 2008 “Share the Experience” Photo Contest, sponsored by Olympus Imaging America Inc. and the National Park Foundation. Your winning photo could grace the front of the 2010 Federal Recreation Lands Pass! Visit www.sharetheexperience.org to enter your photos from July 23rd to December 31st or pick up a brochure and entry form while visiting a Federal Recreation Land this year. Great prizes include: Olympus digital cameras, trips to a federal recreation areas, Federal Recreation Lands Passes and more!

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Performance & Accountability

The Forest Service Performance and Accountability Report - Fiscal Year 2006 is now available. As required by law, this document integrates the Forest Service's annual performance report with its annual consolidated financial statements.

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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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