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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Tom Tidwell Named 17^th Chief of USDA Forest Service

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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, USDA Secretary Vilsack outlined his vision for the future of our nation's forests. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell 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. For more information:

Learn more about Secretary Vilsack's speech and Chief Tidwell's remarks

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 Forest Service ARRA Website »

Spotlights

National Public Lands Day

On Saturday, September 26^th, the USDA Forest Service will join the public and roll up their sleeves for the largest hands-on nationwide volunteer effort to improve America's public lands. The 16th annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD), sponsored by the National Environmental Education Foundation with the support of 8 other federal agencies, focuses on educating the public about the importance of natural resources. Healthy water resources are vital to public lands and are a focus of this year's NPLD events.

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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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Discover the Forest

This PSA campaign aims to inspire tweens (aged 8-12) and their parents to re-connect with nature, experiencing it first-hand. The campaign brings to life the joy and excitement kids have when they discover the wonders of nature, helping create interest in their environment and a lifelong relationship with it.

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Forest Service and Climate Change

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Forest Service and Water

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Features

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!

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US Forest Service: An Overview

This report states who we are, what we do, and what we might be in the future. Since the printing of this report Tom Tidwell has become the 17^th Chief of the USDA Forest Service.

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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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