US Forest Service

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US Forest Service
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History

• 1872 First Arbor Day
• 1873 Timber Culture Act
• 1873 Forest fires
• 1881 Division of Forestry created
• 1891 Forest Reserve Act
• Gave President authority to designate national
  forest reserves

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• March,1891, first forest preserve Yellowstone
• October, 1891, White River Plateau
• First Reserves managed by DOIs General Land
  Office
• 1905 management given to Department of
  Agriculture
• 1907 renamed National Forests

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Rangeland

• 77 of National Forest System is forest
  although half of it is actually rangeland
• Less dense forest land
• Natural grasslands
• Savannahs
• Wetlands and meadows
• Some deserts
• Tundra
• Certain shrub communities

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• Rangeland regulation est.1907 using
• Permits
• Rental fees
• Grazing seasons
• 1960 - Creation of national grasslands

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Forest Service Today

• Second largest land agency
• Largest supplier of outdoor recreation
• 34 of the total annual recreation use
• Provide materials for lumber
• Protect watersheds and water flow
• Provide wildlife habitat and grazing
• Variety of minerals
• Monitor all forestland in the US

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Mission

• National forests Americas playground?
• Outdoor recreation no longer a specific
  component
• to sustain the health, diversity, and
  productivity of the Nations forests and
  grasslands to meet the needs of present and
  future generations
• 1960 MUSYA directs current philosophy

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Forest Service Administration

• Decentralized
• District rangers are empowered
• Forest Service programs
• State Private Forestry
• Research Development
• International Programs

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Forest Service Management

• National Forest System
• Recreation Heritage Resources
• Lands Division

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Distribution of Forested Lands

• How much land should be protected?
• How much land should be open to
• Logging
• Grazing
• Mining
• Off-highway travel

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Specially Designated Natural Areas

• Wild and scenic rivers

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Management Challenges Issues

• Invasive species
• Watershed protection and restoration
• Off-Highway vehicle use
• Deferred maintenance
• Law enforcement
• Declining budget
• Privatization and Partnerships

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Recreation Involvement

• The primary recreation focuses are to
• Provide a healthy quality ecosystem
• Attempt to repair and maintain existing
  facilities
• Improve safety
• Use social science research
• Make recreation more available
• Support sustainable tourism

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Other Supported Programs

• Scenic Byways
• Leave No Trace
• Tread Lightly!