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US Forest Service
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C.
20250-0003

(800) 832-1355

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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
A waterfall image with a person sitting nearby.
A small baby squeezing the nose of Smokey Bear.


Spotlight

US Forest Service: An Overview

This report was developed to orient the new Administration to the U.S. Forest Service, who we are, what we do, and what we might be in the future. As the primary forestry agency of the United States, the Forest Service leads our Nation in natural resource management.

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Economic Stimulus Package Passed Out of Committee

In the coming days, the Congress will be considering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009. The House Appropriations Committee has released its proposals for Economic Stimulus projects, including those for the Forest Service.

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$477 Million in Funding for Schools, Roads

During the week of  January 12, 2009 the Forest Service began distributing more than $477 million to 41 states and Puerto Rico for improvements to public schools, roads and county projects.  The payments include the long standing 25% payments to share national forest receipts and the first payments under the amended and reauthorized Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act, P.L. 110-343.  An additional $52 million is also being made available local resource advisory committees to fund projects recommended by to maintain infrastructure, improve the health of watersheds and ecosystems, protect communities, and strengthen local economies.

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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 is here!

It’s winter, let’s head for the trails!! With skis and snow shoes that is!! Did you know that during the winter months, pedestrian trails on national forests are often used for cross-country skiing and sometimes snow shoeing? Take the opportunity to enjoy your national forests during the winter! Please visit www.recreation.gov to find more information on where you can go for winter recreation and hut-to-hut reservations for cross-country skiers and snow shoers.

BE SAFE! Here are some important tips to follow in order to enjoy the outdoors more safely this winter:

  • Bring a change of dry clothes, especially for children, to change into after a day of winter sports.
  • Before you venture out to enjoy the outdoors, check your vehicle for proper equipment for winter sports and travel.
  • Look up the current safety conditions in the area you are going to visit. You can do this by checking the website of the location or calling beforehand to get the latest weather and safety update.



Avalanche Awareness

A picture of a snowboarder boarding through some deep powder, in an area that might have some avalanche potential.

Did you know that most avalanche accidents are triggered, either by the victim or someone in the victim’s party? Because personal decisions determine whether an individual will be caught in an avalanche or not, learning good avalanche awareness skills can actually eliminate most avalanche accidents! To learn more about avalanche awareness please visit the National Avalanche Center website at www.fsavalanche.org.





Climate Change Video

Climate Change

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

Forest Service's FY 2008 Agency Financial Report cover

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

A small image of a U.S. 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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Roadless

Visit the Roadless Website.

FS Today

What's Happening in the Forest Service. Read more »

Budget

Get the latest budget information for the Forest Service. Learn more »

Ecosystem Services

Healthy forest ecosystems are ecological life-support systems. Forests provide a full suite of goods and services that are vital to human health and livelihood – natural assets we call ecosystem services. more »

Plant of the Week

Appalachian Jacob's ladder.
Appalachian Jacob's ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae)

Pollinator of the Month

Pleistodontes imperialis.
Fig Wasps

Healthy Forests Initiative

For more information on the Healthy Forests Initiative visit forestsandrangelands.gov

US Forest Service
Last modified January 16, 2009
http://www.fs.fed.us


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