Welcome to the official website of the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Forest Service!

Spotlight

Enjoy Your National Forests This Fall

National Forest Scenic Byways

National Forests and Grasslands offer a vast network of highways and roads that access the largest single adventure-travel and nature-based tourism estate in America. Visit America’s Byways to learn about touring America’s National Forest Scenic Byways this fall. more  »

Fall Color Hotline

The Forest Service has activated its toll-free hotline to provide national forest visitors a weekly update on fall foliage color changes throughout the country. more »

Quick Facts

Dr. Greg McPherson, from the Pacific Southwest Research Station Center for Urban Forest Research, was asked to determine what it would take to offset the pollution from transporting the Olympic torch along its journey to Athens. McPherson determined that it would take 122,000 mature trees one year to absorb the carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide generated by the torch. Don't blame the torch - the emissions come from the many engines that support the torch along the way, including police motorcycle escorts, vehicles carrying support crews and the jet plane that stopped in 32 cities on five continents. Fortunately the Athens Environmental Foundation is coordinating efforts to plant more than enough trees to offset the pollution.

Features

Healthy Forests Initiative

The Healthy Forests Initiative calls for administrative improvements that ensure more timely decisions, greater efficiency, and better results in projects that reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and restore forest and rangeland health. For more information visit www.healthyforests.gov. more »

Website Information

Web Survey

As you leave our site, a pop-up window may ask you to complete a survey that will help us improve the Forest Service website. The survey gathers no personal information about you. We hope you will take time to respond! more »

Forest Service News

Volcano Cam Current Mount St. Helens news & information more  »

Sign up for news releases

• Forest Service Announces National Strategy To Combat Invasives Species (Oct. 28)
(strategy document -.pdf)

• Veneman Announces The Availability Of Nearly $500 Million In Disaster Assistance To Restore Farmland, Forests
(Oct. 25)

• Forest Service Unveils Innovative Wheelchair-Friendly Playground That Uses Cost-Effective Wood Chips
(Oct. 21)

Centennial

Help Celebrate the Forest Service 100th Anniversary in 2005! Learn more about the Centennial event and related activities. more  »

Four Threats

Chief Dale Bosworth identified Four Threats facing our nation’s forests and grasslands. They are: (1) fire and fuels, (2) invasive species, (3) loss of open space, and (4) unmanaged recreation. To learn more visit the Four Threats section of our website. more »

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