THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE AND
FORESTRY IN THE UNITED STATES
International Visitor Program Orientation
DID YOU KNOW?
The Forest Service has more recreation visitor days than any other US Government agency.
The Forest Service employs thousands of scientists as researchers, experts in fisheries and as wildlife biologists.
85% of the water west of the Mississippi flows from Forest Service lands.
Forested Land in the United States
History of Land Use & Development
History of the Forest Service
The Forest Service Today
Current and Emerging Issues
International Programs
Forested Land in the United States
History of Land Use & Development
History of the Forest Service
The Forest Service Today
Current & Emerging Issues
International Programs
FORESTS OF THE UNITED STATES
The United States has the 4th largest forest estate of any nation—exceeded by Russian Federation, Brazil and Canada
The United States has 8% of the world’s forests.
The United States has about 300 million hectares of forest (33% of the land area)
FORESTED & NON-FORESTED LAND IN THE UNITED STATES
Forested land33% or 300 million hectares
Total land base of the United States—912 million hectares.
Other types of lands 67% or 612 million hectares
TOTAL FOREST OWNERSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES
Forest Service20% or 60 million hectares
Private forest lands 58% or 174 million hectares
Total forested land in the United States—300 million hectares.
Other Federal Agencies9% or 26 million hectares
Bureau of Land Management4% or 14 million hectares
States, counties & municipals9% or 26 million hectares
Interior Department
Other Federal Agencies
Agriculture Department
FOREST OWNERSHIP IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES
Federal and State lands17% or 26 million hectares
Private lands 83% or129 million hectares
155 million hectares of forested land East of the Mississippi River
FOREST OWNERSHIP IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES
Federal and State lands69% or 100 million hectares
Private lands31% or 45 million hectares
145 million hectares of forested land West of the Mississippi River
LEVELS OF PROTECTION FOR LANDS IN THE US
IUCN Protected Area Types US Protected Area Types
I. STRICT NATURE RESERVE/WILDERNESS AREA: Managed for science or wilderness protection.
Our National Wilderness Preservation System, No travel zones in National Parks, Some Research Natural Areas & Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.
II. NATIONAL PARK: Managed for ecosystem protection and recreation.
National Parks, Some State Parks and Wilderness Areas
III. NATURAL MONUMENT: Managed for conservation of specific natural or cultural features.
National Monuments, National Landmarks (natural and cultural), Historic Preservation Sites of many categories- both federal and state.
IV. HABITAT/SPECIES MANAGEMENT AREA: Managed for conservation through management intervention
US FWS National Wildlife Refuges - especially non-wilderness portions and Waterfowl Production Areas, some Areas of Critical Environmental Concern
V. PROTECTED LANDSCAPE/SEASCAPE: Managed for landscape/seascape protection and recreation.
National Seashores/ Lakeshores, National Scenic Areas, Scenic By-Ways, National Trails, National Recreation Areas, Scenic portions of Wild and Scenic Rivers, State & Local Govt. Open Space Programs etc.
VI. MANAGED RESOURCE PROTECTED AREA: Managed for sustainable use of natural ecosystems
Multiple use portions of National Forests or BLM Districts, National Grasslands, State Forests, USFS Research and Experimental Areas.
Forest Land in the United States
History of Land Use & Development
History of the Forest Service
The Forest Service Today
Current & Emerging Issues
International Programs
HISTORY OF LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT (1800-1900s)
Forests converted to farmland as majority of US population was farmers.
US farmers also cleared forests to provide wood for fencing to contain livestock. By 1850, enough fencing to circle the earth 120 times.
Building of major US cities consumed large amounts of timber.
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HISTORY OF LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT: Deforestation and the Call for Action by 1900
There was a recognition of land abuse and deforestation
Forests were increasingly seen as a national asset in need of protection from:
• Logging• Massive wildfires• Farm clearing and grazing• Wildlife depletion• Watershed erosion
Conservation or “pressure groups” began to form including:
• American Forestry Association • Sierra Club • Society of American Foresters• National Audubon Society
Land in the United States
Forest Land in the United States
History of Land Use & Development
History of the Forest Service
Politics of Forestry
Current & Emerging Issues
The Forest Service Today
1905—FOREST SERVICE ESTABLISHED
The Forest Service was established to manage national forests for protection of watersheds and to produce timber.
The mission has evolved and broadened to include recreation and grazing
. The role of the Agency has shifted dramatically due to changing social, economic, political expectations as well as the evolution of forestry as a discipline.
Managing national forests for benefits, multiple uses, sustained yield of renewable resources
MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES HAVE EVOLVED:
1900s 2000
Timber production Conservation
Fire suppression Prescribed burning
Road building Watershed protection
Land in the United States
Forest Land in the United States
History of Land Use & Development
History of the Forest Service
The Forest Service Today
Current and Emerging Issues
WHAT IS THE FOREST SERVICE TODAY?A decentralized organization of about 35,000 employees with responsibility to :
Directly manage 77 million hectares (191 million acres) of forest and rangeland in the US for wide range of social and environmental benefits
Contribute to the management of an additional 150 million hectares (360 million acres) of privately-owned land in the US.
Coordinate, through International Programs, FS efforts to improve forest management and preserve biodiversity worldwide.
Federal Land Management Agencies
A LOOK AT THE STRUCTURE OF THE FOREST SERVICE
Provides scientific and technical knowledge through the work of:
Research Stations—eight stations across the US, including:
Forest Products Laboratory
International Institute for Tropical Forestry (Puerto Rico)
A LOOK AT THE STRUCTURE OF THE FOREST SERVICE
A LOOK AT THE STRUCTURE OF THE FOREST SERVICE
There are 155 forests and 20 grasslands in the United States (77 million ha./191 million acres) across 9 NFS regions in the US. The Forest Service is responsible for:
Watershed management
Recreation
Timber management
Wilderness and protected areas
Habitat, forest, grassland management
A LOOK AT THE STRUCTURE OF THE FOREST SERVICE
Cooperates with private landowners, tribal governments, other local government agencies, State and local organizations, on:
Assistance to small-scale, private landowners
Indigenous-tribal natural resource conservation programs
Urban forestry
Conservation education
Watershed management
Fire management
Forest insect and disease protection
A LOOK AT THE STRUCTURE OF THE FOREST SERVICE
On behalf of the Chief of the FS, coordinates international work by engaging Research, National Forest System and State & Private Forestry in these activities:
Technical Cooperation
Global Natural Resource Policy
Disaster Response and Preparedness
Land in the United States
Forest Land in the United States
History of Land Use & Development
History of the Forest Service
The Forest Service Today
Current and Emerging Issues
International Programs
CURRENT AND EMERGING ISSUES: The “4 Threats” of the early 21st Century
1. Wildfire Management and Ecosystem Restoration Historical fire suppression resulted in increased
undergrowth and high density of trees. Areas close to human settlement pose a risk to human health, safety, and property.
2. Invasive Species All ownerships are threatened by 4,500 invasive
species— spreading at an accelerated rate, threatening biodiversity and forest health.
3. Habitat Fragmentation Accelerating urban expansion is fragmenting both
forest acreage and ownership, with significant ecological and management implications.
4. Unmanaged Recreation Increased recreation use results in undesireable
resource impacts and exceed the ability of managers to address them.
CURRENT AND EMERGING ISSUES:Logging – Domestic and International
Harvest on National Forests remains very controversial. Through the use of harvest treatments, Forest Service trying to combat forest pest risks and mitigate catastrophic fires.
Logging on private lands is also controversial because in some cases over-harvesting is taking place. Private practices are regulated primarily by the States.
Internationally, Forest Service works with partners to promote Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) and Sustainable Forest Management (SFM).
Work with NGO partners, industry, other nations, and intergovernmental organizations to implement policies reducing illegal timber and trade (i.e.. the President’s Initiative Against Illegal Logging).
Land in the United States
Forest Land in the United States
History of Land Use & Development
History of the Forest Service
The Forest Service Today
Current and Emerging Issues
International Programs
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