:::::::::::::US Forest Service: INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS: ABOUT US:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

International Programs of the US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, promotes sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation internationally. By linking the skills of the field-based staff of the US Forest Service with partners overseas, the Agency can address the most critical forestry issues and concerns. International Programs regularly taps into the agency's wide range of expertise. Wildlife biologists, forest economists, hydrologists, disaster and fire management specialists, and policy makers are among those who comprise the staff of over thirty thousand employees.

Since international cooperation is necessary to sustain the ecological and commercial viability of global forest resources and to conserve biodiversity, most of our work is done in collaboration with other organizations. Our partners include other government agencies, such as the United States Agency for International Development and Foreign Agriculture Service; the World Bank and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, non-government organizations, such as Ducks Unlimited and The Nature Conservancy, and universities.

"The US Forest Service International Programs (IP) promotes sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation internationally"

The United States benefits from our work overseas. Innovative technologies are brought back to the country, cross boundary environmental problems are addressed, and opportunities to hone US Forest Service skills are increased. Lastly, strengthened international ties lead to mutual aid, as illustrated by assistance from Mexico, Canada, Australia and Israel who assisted with the devastating 2000 fire season in the western region of the United States

International Programs has three main staff units: Technical Cooperation, Policy, and Disaster. Both Technical Cooperation and DASP work closely with United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Technical Cooperation, specifically, develops and manages natural resource projects overseas on a wide range of topics (i.e. fire management and forest health). There are two main disaster programs: Disaster Assistance Support Program (DASP) and the Disaster Mitigation Program. Funded by USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, DASP trains and mobilizes personnel domestically to respond and mitigate foreign disasters, such as the drought in Ethiopia and the locust response in West Africa. The Disaster Mitigation Program, on the other hand, trains and provides technical expertice to partners overseas in emergency preparedness, response and disaster mitigation.. Finally, International Programs's policy unit is actively involved in sustainability roundtables and international fora, which ensures that US position on global forest policies and agreements reflect the best interests of the country.

The International Programs website has further information on our staff units as well as on our current international activities. Navigate our website to:

Learn how to cooperate with us,
View our latest newsletter,
Explore opportunities to attend a field course in wildlands and protected area management or international seminars on issues pertaining to natural resources, protected areas and watershed management in the U.S.,
Exchange information with our staff and US Forest Service technical experts.
Peruse our FAQ page to learn why the Forest Service works internationally or to search for programs in a particular country of interest.
Learn about the International Visitor Program.

2000 US Forest Service International Programs
Legal Information and Disclaimer
Webmaster