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 4 th 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 land  33% 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 Service  20% or 60 million hectares Private forest lands  58% or 174 million hectares Total forested land in the United States—300 million hectares. Other Federal Agencies  9% or 26 million hectares Bureau of Land Management  4% or 14 million hectares States, counties & municipals  9% or 26 million hectares Interior Department Other Federal Agencies Agriculture Department

FOREST OWNERSHIP IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES Federal and State lands  17% or 26 million hectares Private lands  83% or 129 million hectares 155 million hectares of forested land East of the Mississippi River FOREST OWNERSHIP IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES Federal and State lands  69% or 100 million hectares Private lands  31% 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 TypesUS 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 ( s)  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. Forested Area (in million hectares)

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: 1900s2000 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

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 21 st 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