1. Briefing for Forest Service Personnel
THE STATE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS ADDRESS
Briefing for Forest Service Personnel n

2. STATE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS ADDRESS
History of International Work in the Forest Service
Current Situation in International Programs

3. History of US Forest Service International Activities
Phase 1 ( )
1902—Bureau of Forestry Chief, Gifford Pinchot, is invited to the Philippines to provide technical assistance.
1903—Creation of Caribbean Nation Forest Reserve in Puerto Rico—not international but started emphasizing tropical forestry.
1905—Establishment of US Forest Service; Gifford Pinchot, First Chief.
1910—Wood Products Laboratory in Madison, WI, starts research in tropics on tropical wood.

4. History of US Forest Service International Activities
Phase 2 ( )
Post WWII—USAID and FAO are established.
1950—US Forest Service provides technical assistance to newly independent and developing countries.
1958—Foreign Forestry Service is created under Deputy Chief for Research.
1970—By 1970, US Forest Service has sent 150 professionals for long-term and short-term assignments overseas.
Over 2,500 foreign nationals have gone through the US Forest Service training programs.

5. History of US Forest Service International Activities
Phase 3 ( )
1980—USAID establishes Forestry Support Program (FSP) to assist countries around the world.
1985—Disaster Assistance and Support Program (DASP) is established and funded by USAID.
1987—US Forest Service provides assistance to 50 countries, and 35 Forest Service employees serve on 1-year assignments in 20 countries.

6. History of US Forest Service International Activities
Phase 4 (1990-Present)
1990—International Forestry Cooperation Act is passed.
Farm Bill of 1990 directs Secretary to establish a Deputy Chief for International Forestry.
Jeff Sirmon is first Deputy Chief of International Forestry
1991—USAID Forest Resources Management II project (FRM II) replaces FSP.

7. History of US Forest Service International Activities
Phase 4 (1990-Present)
1994—International Forestry has budget of $7 million and 55 FTE’s. USAID funding is $2 million.
International Forestry moves into Franklin Court Building at 14th and L Streets.
Jeff Sirmon retires.

8. Phase 4 (1990-Present) continued…
March 1995—Val Mezainis becomes second Deputy Chief for International Forestry.
June 1995—International Forestry is zeroed out by Congress and Deputy Chief position is eliminated in FY96 Appropriations bill.
Congress allows Forest Service to take $2.7 million of appropriated money “off the top” for International Forestry.
International Forestry downsizes to 17 FTE’s.

9. Phase 4 (1990-Present) continued…
June 1999—International Forestry becomes International Programs.
International Programs establishes partnerships with The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited and universities.

10. Phase 4 (1990-Present) continued…
June 2000—International Programs gets line item in appropriated budget under State & Private Forestry
Money is no longer “off the top.”

11. FOREST SERVICE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS