The National Forest Service is an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture that manages public lands and oversees the conservation of natural resources. The agency manages 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 43 states and Puerto Rico, covering over 193 million acres. The mission of the National Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's national forests and grasslands for present and future generations.
The National Forest Service was established in 1905 by President Theodore Roosevelt through the Transfer Act.
The agency was initially established to manage forest reserves and was later given broader responsibilities for managing wildlife, water, and recreation activities.
The National Forest Service originally fell under the jurisdiction of the Department of Interior before being moved to the Department of Agriculture.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency under the United States Department of Interior that manages public lands. The agency manages over 245 million acres of public land, primarily located in western states, for various uses such as energy development, recreation, and grazing.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is an agency under the United States Department of Interior that is responsible for protecting and managing wildlife and habitat in the United States. The agency manages over 150 million acres of land and water, as well as more than 560 national wildlife refuges.
The National Forest Service offers various forestry services such as timber management, forest health management, and fire management.
National Forest Service manages many recreation opportunities in National Forests including hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, and hunting.
The National Forest Service runs conservation programs such as the Forest Legacy Program, Landscape Scale Restoration Program, and the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP), aimed at preserving and restoring natural habitats and conserving natural resources.
The National Forest Service manages public lands, primarily national forests and grasslands, and oversees the conservation of natural resources through various programs and initiatives.
The National Forest Service manages 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 43 states and Puerto Rico, covering over 193 million acres.
Yes, camping is allowed in most National Forests. However, there may be specific rules and regulations that vary by location, so it's important to check with the specific forest service website for more information.
Most National Forests are free to enter and use, but there may be fees for certain activities such as camping or using specific facilities. Again, it's important to check with the specific forest service website for more information.
The Forest Legacy Program is a voluntary program that aims to protect environmentally sensitive forest lands from conversion and development by purchasing conservation easements or fee simple title from willing landowners.