Roles and Responsibilities

The Forest Service has unique characteristics compelling it to play a major role in the fight against invasive species. The Forest Service has the authority to directly manage 192 million acres of national forests and grasslands. We also have the responsibility and authority to provide technical and financial assistance for all of the Nation’s 731 million acres of forest lands including urban areas; state, private, and tribal lands; and forested lands managed by other federal agencies.

We are recognized internationally for our land management and research expertise. We have thousands of specialists including forest entomologists, forest pathologists, botanists, wildlife and fisheries biologists, foresters and range ecologists, as well as over 500 research scientists. The Forest Service conducts research, scientific collaboration, and review to ensure a scientific foundation that fills priority information gaps. Forest Service Technology and Development Centers specialize in the development and application of the latest in technology. Staffs also include experts in public communication, legislative affairs, technology transfer, and education.

Our responsibilities extend across the United States from Alaska and Hawaii to the Caribbean and New England . National forests and grasslands are found in 44 states and Puerto Rico with offices in over 650 communities nationwide. We have established relationships in thousands of communities across the country. The Forest Service has working relationships with other agencies involved in invasive species, including Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the other ten government departments (and associated agencies) who are members of the National Invasive Species Council.

In addition, we maintain working relationships with leading national and international organizations that focus on invasive species, and has ongoing partnerships with each of the state and territorial agencies with responsibility for invasive species. We have a long history of providing technical and financial assistance to states and territories for dealing with natural resource problems. We also have formal working relationships with most major colleges and universities and with international partners.

To learn more about the roles of the Forest Service, explore the Forest Service's Internet website or see the Forest Service Invasive Species Management Policy and Authorities web page.