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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Secretary Vilsack's Speech on the New Direction and Vision for America's Forests and Chief Tidwell's message to the Forest Service.

On August 14, 2009, in Seattle, Secretary Vilsack outlined his vision for the future of our nation's forests by setting forth a new direction guided by principles of conservation, management and restoration of natural resources. The Chief of the Forest Service filmed an accompanying video stating his message to the Forest Service in light of the Secretary's speech. For more information please refer to links below to the Audio and Transcript of Secretary Vilsack's speech and the video message by the Chief.

Secretary Vilsack's speech(Audio)

Secretary Vilsack's speech(Transcript)

Chief Tidwell's video message

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.

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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, former Chief of the Forest Service, 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

New Climate Change Awareness Toolkit

Helping to prepare youth to understand their role in addressing environmental issues is an important focus of Forest Service Conservation Education efforts. Environmental education begins with awareness, and builds to increased knowledge and skills. And the goal of environmental education is to lead to action.

With this in mind, the Forest Service’s Conservation Education program, in partnership with EPA and other Federal agencies, designed the "Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands Toolkit" for classroom teachers and informal educators—or anyone with an interest in the environment! Check it out at: http://www.globalchange.gov/resources/educators/toolkit

Forest Service and Partners commit $1.3 million to close the gap between Children and Nature…

Former Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Gail Kimbell announced the new national recipients of "More Kids in the Woods" (MKIW) funding. “Kids must understand why forests are so valuable so they will grow into citizens who support conservation."

For each of the past three years, the Forest Service has dedicated $500,000 towards field projects that get kids outside to have fun, get dirty, get healthy and learn. The agency’s funding has brought partners together to share programs and leverage resources; partner in-kind and cash contributions top $1 million, making the total annual value of the award program over $1.5 million. In addition, the MKIW cost share program has been a catalyst in bringing attention to all USFS programs that connect kids with nature.

The awarded projects emphasize hands-on learning and recreational opportunities for children. Such experiences are essential to the mental and physical well being of children, and help grow a future generation of conservation leaders.

Parents, educators, physicians, and community partners are increasingly concerned about the growing disconnect between children and nature. Since 2007, the Forest Service has played a visible, consistent and vigorous role in addressing this national issue. One of the agency’s prominent efforts for connecting kids to nature is its More Kids in the Woods cost share program.

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Wild Eagle's Nest - LIVE!, 2009

This live streaming video of a wild eagle nest is located high in the cascade mountains in the Deschutes National Forest, Oregon. Through the wonders of modern technology, we can share with you, in real time, the behavior of bald eagles, our national symbol, who make their home in America's National Forests - your National Forests. It is our hope that these videos raise your level of awareness, appreciation, and understanding of wildlife, fish, and plants and their connection to ecosystems, landscapes and people, and entice you to visit your National Forests.

Hunting, egg incubation, nest watch, eaglet feeding and eaglet brooding duties are shared by both parents until the young are strong enough to fly at about 12 weeks of age. Eaglets are full size at 12 weeks of age. Only about 50% of eagles hatched survive the first year. View the Eaglecam where an eaglet hatched on may 15, 2009.

Come visit our NatureWatch Program where we aim to provide children and adults the opportunity to safely view, and participate in, activities and programs that raise their level of awareness and understanding of wildlife, fish, and plants, and their connection to ecosystems, landscapes, and people.

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Secure Rural Schools and Community-Self Determination Act

In January 2009 the Forest Service distributed more than $477 million to 41 states and Puerto Rico for improvements to public schools, roads and for county projects. The payments include the long standing 25% payments sharing 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 available for projects recommended by local resource advisory committees to maintain infrastructure, improve the health of watersheds and ecosystems, protect communities, and strengthen local economies.

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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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USDA Forest Citizens Report: FY 2008 Summary of Performance and Financial Results

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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