Smokey Bear returns to remind Americans… "only you can prevent wildfires"

New Public Service Announcements and Smokey Bear’s first mobile application launch in time for the holiday weekend. The free smart-phone app is designed to provide critical information about wildfire prevention.

Land stewardship training by Job Corps lauded by US Forest Service

WASHINGTON, June 21 - The new green curriculum of the Forest Service’s Job Corps will expand employment opportunities for its graduates, help revitalize local economies in rural communities and enhance the mission of the agency, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said today.

US Forest Service Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center provides incredible tourist experience

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2011 – Tourism spending in the Juneau, Alaska area is expected to reach $160 million this summer season with many of those visitors flocking to the newly upgraded U.S. Forest Service Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.

US Forest Service Chief briefs US Senators on versatile, national strategy for curbing wildfires

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2011 – In testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources this morning, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell gave details on his agency’s wildfire response capabilities. “Wildfire season is upon us, as is evident by the massive fire activity in Arizona and New Mexico. I traveled there this past weekend and met with many of our firefighters who are working tirelessly to contain those fires. We are fully committed to that effort and are also prepared for the entire 2011 wildland fire season,” said Tidwell. “We are staffed and ready to provide appropriate, risk informed, and effective fire management and will continue our commitment to aggressive initial attack of wildfires with full attention to firefighter and public safety.” A veteran wildland firefighter, Tidwell told the committee that continued federal engagement, coordination and collaboration with state, tribal and local fire agencies is central to the collective success of wildfire suppression work nationwide.

For all the latest information on Wildland fires Inciweb will be able to answer many of your questions regarding fires in your area.

Faces of the Forest: David Ferrell

David Ferrell is the oldest of five children who put college on hold during his freshman year to help his ailing mother. A mentor helped David, who eventually joined the Job Corps, won a college scholarship, became a college football star and attracted the attention of an NFL team. Today, he is the head of the agency's Law Enforcement and Investigations division.

Alaskan Tlingit elder leaves long-lasting legacy
The Forest Service fondly remembers the contributions of  Dr. Walter A. Soboleff, a centenarian deeply revered and Tlingit elder, who died last month at the age of 102.

Located in Alaska, the Tlingit are a Native society that developed a complex hunter-gatherer culture in the temperate rainforest of the Alexander Archipelago in the Southeastern part of the state. The people in this society were the original caretakers of natural resources where the current-day Tongass National Forest exists.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Continued Funding For Collaborative Forest Restoration Projects
WASHINGTON June 9, 2011 –Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $22 million in funding for Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration projects that promote healthier, safer and more productive public lands through partnership efforts which will reduce wildfire risk, enhance fish and wildlife habitats, and maintain and improve water quality across all lands.

Baseball bats are safer thanks to the U.S. Forest Service Forest Products Lab
As the 2011 Major League Baseball season heads toward summer, an unlikely relationship has quietly entered its third year. “Since Major League Baseball’s partnership with the USDA Forest Service began in 2008, we have witnessed a dramatic decrease in the number of broken bats thanks to the extensive efforts of the scientists from the Forest Products Laboratory, especially Dave Kretschmann,” said Dan Halem, MLB’s Senior Vice President of Labor Relations.

Watch the AP Video: Forest Service Cracks Mystery Behind Broken Bats

Meet "Baseball Bat Guy," the man who led the research.

Recovery Act funds urban forestry success in historic African American neighborhood

Volunteers planted 185 trees in the historic Berkley Square neighborhood in Las Vegas as part of a U.S. Forest Service Recovery Act-funded Nevada forest revitalization project. The Berkley Square Tree Planting Project was one of the largest volunteer supported activities ever held in Berkley Square which is part of Las Vegas’ Ward 5.

USDA Releases Plan to Promote Agroforestry as Means to Improve the Environment, Make Better Use Of Land and Help Landowners Find Other Sources Of Revenue
WASHINGTON June 6, 2011 – USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today unveiled a plan that will help farmers, ranchers and woodland owners enhance productivity, profitability and environmental stewardship by using the practice of agroforestry. Agroforestry intentionally combines agriculture and forestry to create integrated and sustainable land-use systems that take advantage of the interactive benefits from combining trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Introduces a Framework and Map to Improve the Health of America's Watersheds
WASHINGTON June 3, 2011 –Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the release of a new map that characterizes the health and condition of National Forest System lands in more than 15,000 watersheds across the country. The U.S. Forest Service's Watershed Condition Classification Map is the first step in the agency's Watershed Condition Framework, and is the agency's first national assessment across all 193 million acres of National Forest lands. Vilsack made the announcement at a USDA event in Washington highlighting the United Nation's International Year of Forests.

Watershed Condition Classification Maps

Planning Rule comment period ends with 150,000 comments received
The 90-day comment period on the proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement closed on May 16, 2011. Comments were received from a wide range of individuals, groups and organizations as well as state, county, Tribal and federal governments. The Forest Service now looks forward to reviewing and analyzing these comments to help develop the final rule and final environmental impact statement. Publication of the final rule is anticipated in late 2011.

USDA Forest Service releases fire retardant draft Environmental Impact Statement

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2011 -- In response to a 2010 court decision, the U.S. Forest Service released a draft environmental impact statement today that will help inform the agency's decision whether to continue aerial application of fire retardant and, if so, under what conditions.

US Forest Service Urges Communities to Prepare for Wildfires
The National Fire Protection Association's Firewise Communities program teaches homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, firefighters and others about ways to protect people and property from wildfires.

Centennial celebration of Weeks Act continues

The Weeks Act is one of the most important pieces of environmental legislation in American history with a 100-year-old legacy that still helps to shape natural resource conservation achievements today. Learn more about the Act's significant economic and environmental benefits and about celebration events on the Weeks Act web site.

Centennial of Weeks Act Proclamation

U.S. Forest Service, Partners, Continue showings of New Documentary on Aldo Leopold's Legacy

The U.S. Forest Service has partnered with the Aldo Leopold Foundation and the Center for Humans and Nature in the first feature-length, high-definition documentary about the legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold.