the u.s. forest service and forestry in the united states international visitor program orientation

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




Current & Emerging Issues


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 (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




Politics of Forestry



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

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)



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


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


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

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).

the u.s. forest service and forestry in the united states international visitor program orientation

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