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)