Meet The U.S. Forest Service
“Caring for the Land and Serving People”
Introduction to the Forest Service
USFS: Manages public lands in national forests and
grasslands. Largest forestry research Provides technical and financial assistance
to State and private forestry agencies.
Establishment of USFS
Congress established USFS in 1905.
Management of national forests for: Benefits and multiple uses Sustained yield of renewable resource
National Forests:America’s Great Outdoors
Size of National Forests = Size of Texas
Opportunities for recreation: Backpacking Challenging trails Enjoying the views Fishing
“Caring for the Land and Serving People”
USFS managers: Help people share and enjoy
the forest Conserve the environment.
USFS mission: Protection &
management locally and internationally
Research
USFS Offices: Ranger District
First point of contact with USFS.
>600 ranger districts 50,000 acres < District
size < 1 million acres Activities include:
• trail construction
• campground operation
• habitat management
USFS Offices: National Forest
155 National Forests & 20 grasslands
Several ranger districts Forest supervisor is head; Activities include:
• District activities
• Budget allocation
• District technical support
USFS Offices: Region
The 9 regions include several states.
Regional forester is head.
Activities include: • National forest
activities• Quality operations• Guidance for forest
plans• Budget allocation
USFS Offices: National Level
A.k.a.The Washington Office The Chief:
• Head of USFS
• Reports to Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment in the USDA.
Activities include:• Policy & agency direction
• Budget development with White House
• Monitors agency activities
The National Forest System
USFS manages National Forest System.
National Forest System: 44 states, Puerto Rico, & the Virgin Islands
U.S. greatest assets:natural resources in these areas
National Forest System: Budget
The appropriated budget:
$4.8 billion for the 2006 fiscal year.
USFS Research & Development
Seven research stations Two quasi-stations Provides:
scientific & technical knowledge
Conducted through: Forest & range experimentation
stations Forest Products Laboratory
Research & Development Major research topics:
Inventory & monitoring of lands
Forest health protection Management research Ecology Social science
2200 employees: 550 scientists 80% of these scientists
have doctorate degrees.
State & Private Forestry USFS cooperates with:
State and local governments Forest industries Private landowners Forest users
The objectives: Manage, protect, & develop
non-Federal forest land Activities include:
Urban interface fire management
Urban forestry
State & Private Forestry
Forest Health Management Cooperative Fire Protection Cooperative Forestry
AdministrationUSFS provides:
Leadership Agency business means Cooperation with human
resource programs:• Americorps• Job Corps • Senior Community
Service Employment Program
• Volunteer program
USFS: Hires & trains
employees Evaluates & promotes Hires contractors Acquires office space,
equipment, & supplies Acquires, supports, and
maintains technology
International Programs USFS globally links
people and communities IP strives to protect and
manage the world’s forest. IP works with:
USAID USDS EPA Non-profit organizations universities
Final Thoughts on USFS
USFS has 30,000 diverse employees.
Numbers rise in the summer.
Vast opportunities for: students senior citizens international visitors interested volunteers.
How to Contact USFS
“Guide to Your National Forests” for listings
Visit USFS on the web (http://www.fs.fed.us)