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U.S. Forest Service
Caring for the land and serving people

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Management

Managing the Forest

The Forest Service stewards an impressive portfolio of landscapes across 193 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands in the public trust. The agency’s top priority is to maintain and improve the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of current and future generations. Forest management focuses on managing vegetation, restoring ecosystems, reducing hazards, and maintaining forest health.

Forest Products

Forest products include materials derived from a forest for commercial use such as lumber and paper, and also "special forest products" such as medicinal herbs, fungi, edible fruits and nuts, and other natural products. Read more about forest products…

Vegetation Management

Successful vegetation management ensures that our National Forests are conserved, restored, and made more resilient to climate change while enhancing our water resources. Read more about vegetation management…

Regional Appraisal Data

Appraisal data sent by the Forest Service to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for the SBA’s use during development of the proposed rule is available for review. Read more about regional appraisal data…

Felling loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) trees with a swing-to-tree feller-buncher. Photo: USDA Forest Service, Forest Operations Research , USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org.

SOPI Extensions!

On April 10, 2020, the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment determined there is Substantial Overriding Public Interest (SOPI) in extending all National Forest System timber sale contracts awarded and timber product permits issued before April 1, 2020. Read more…

Forms for Advertised Timber for Sale

The Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the revision with changes of the currently approved information collection 0596-0066, Advertised Timber for Sale. Forms associated with this information collection are FS-2400-42a – National Forest Timber and Forest Products for Sale, FS2400-14 – Bid for Advertised Timber (3 versions) and FS-2400-14BV – Bid For Integrated Resource Timber Contract (2 versions). View revised forms.