No matter where we live, whether in the city or in rural areas, forests and open space play an important role in our lives. Every day, we use a diverse array of forest products, from the houses we live in, to the paper we use, to the food we eat. Forests provide economic opportunities as well as many indirect benefits, such as clean air and water. Forests and open space also offer invaluable recreational opportunities, providing us with a healthy sense of well-being. Life without forests and open space would be unimaginable. We must take care to sustainably manage our natural resources to meet current and future needs. This is one of the main goals of the Forest Service.
Urban Forests
![urban trees urban trees](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170201035838im_/https://www.fs.fed.us/sites/default/files/styles/fs_width_0424px/public/legacy_files/media/2013/23/urban-trees.jpg?itok=IwSDZH5l)
Learn more about urban forests
Ecosystem Services
![The Comanche National Grassland The Comanche National Grassland](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170201035838im_/https://www.fs.fed.us/sites/default/files/styles/fs_width_0424px/public/legacy_files/media/2014/09/commanchegrasslands.jpg?itok=VgmAefxl)
Learn more about ecosystem services
Recreation
![3 yellow kayaks A photo of 3 yellow kayaks floating down the Snake River](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170201035838im_/https://www.fs.fed.us/sites/default/files/styles/fs_width_0424px/public/legacy_files/media/2014/23/yello-kayaks.jpg?itok=giURN1n0)
Learn more about all of the recreation opportunities forests have to offer