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

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Opportunity for counties to confirm or correct their Secure Rural School Act elections and allocations

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 Forest Service previously requested states and counties to elect to receive a share of the 25% payment or a share of the Secure Rural Schools State (formula) payment by November 14, 2008.

To meet the dual objectives of making payments for Fiscal Year 2008 in a timely manner and ensuring that there were no errors in elections and allocations made by counties and transmitted by states, the Forest Service is requesting that the states and counties confirm or correct the county elections and the county allocations by 10:00 p.m. mountain standard time (MST) Friday, December 12, 2008.

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Forests and Climate Change - a Strategic Framework

Trees, Forests and Forest Ecosystems play a major role for our citizens and the world. The Forest Service is making steady progress addressing climate change by focusing on the unique needs and contributions of the Nation's forests. We invite you to read the recently completed "Forest Service Strategic Framework for Responding to Climate Change" (PDF). This document provides a road map to guide our actions for addressing climate change as we care for natural lands. Seven goals are outlined that will help the Forest Service to sustain the nation's forest and grasslands for present and future generations in this era of climate change. To achieve these goals, the Forest Service is working with a broad range of agencies, scientists, stakeholders, tribes, international interests and the public at-large to make good use of diverse expertise and ideas. Future activities, including any formal policy direction, may result as this work continues.

Read the Forest Service Service Strategic Framework for
Responding to Climate Change (PDF) »

Winter Trails Day 2009

When Americans decide to head outdoors, it's frequently to their own backyard or nearby playground or park. You can also get fit and maintain good health by enjoying America's public lands and waters. The U.S. Forest Service has thousands of miles of walks, trails, rivers and open spaces that are minutes away and available year-round at little or no cost. It's not hard - and you can get there one step, pedal or paddle at a time, so Get fit with US!! During the winter months there's no need to stay inside - you can be active by snow-shoeing, skiing or snowboarding. The 14th Annual Winter Trails Day is on January 10, 2009 (in most locations) - it’s a great opportunity to try snow sports for the first time and to discover the fitness and social benefits of winter activities. To find an event near you please visit www.wintertrails.org

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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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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.

Check out the video »

Features

Forest Service's FY 2008 Agency Financial Report

The Forest Service Agency Financial Report - Fiscal Year 2008 is now available. As required by law, this document integrates the Forest Service's annual consolidated financial statements with Management's Discussion and Analysis and other required information.

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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 »

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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