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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ARRA Projects

Many of the communities most affected by the economic downturn are located near national forests. Using funding from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act we'll create jobs that support our mission of sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

View the list of funded projects (PDF) »

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

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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Secure Rural Schools and Community-Self Determination Act

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.

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Forest Service Recreation -- Inspiring Passion for the Land

National forests and grasslands provide some of the greatest opportunities for outdoor recreation in the world. Recreation activities are not only fun; they create memories, provide physical challenge, provoke interest, and inspire wonder and awe of the natural world. Recreation contributes greatly to the health of individuals, bonds family and friends, and provides economic benefit to communities. Indeed, outdoor recreation is an essential part of American culture.

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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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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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