The Mission and Work of the U.S. Forest Service

The United States Forest Service, an agency within the Department of Agriculture, administers 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands spanning 193 million acres. Its mission is threefold:

• Sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands for present and future generations.
• Provide quality water and other resources in harmony with the environment.
• Provide economic opportunities for rural communities.

To achieve this, the Forest Service runs programs in:

• Forest management for timber, recreation, wildlife habitat, and watershed protection.
• Wildfire management—prevention, suppression, and post-fire restoration.
• Watershed management to protect clean water supplies.
• Wildlife management for habitat conservation.
• Range management for livestock grazing.
• Recreation management for camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting.

The Forest Service plays a vital role in protecting forest ecosystems, securing water resources, and supporting rural economies.