Feature Stories

Wildfires are everyone’s concern—they threaten not just the forests in which they burn, but the lives, property and livelihoods of nearby communities. Many communities that live in the shadow of

What do you do when you can't entirely stop something bad from happening? You mitigate the damage it might cause. Natural disasters, like hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires, can never be completely

Quick, what’s today?! No, not just the middle of September or the beginning of a new week, it’s my birthday! That’s right, I, Woodsy Owl, was born 54 years ago today, and began my important work of

“Toad!” yelled a deep voice from across the stream. With gloved hands, the volunteer excitedly lifted an adult toad from the riverbank then carefully slipped it into a clear sandwich bag. He was one

In early 2025, wildfires ravaged Southern California. Firefighters spent days battling flames that engulfed houses, businesses and landmarks while forcing thousands to flee. But even once the fires

Although we’re more than halfway through summer, there is still plenty of warm weather left to get out and enjoy your national forests and grasslands! We’ve got 154 national forests and 20 national

In the very heart of North America, the rolling hills of North Dakota’s Little Missouri National Grassland stretch into the horizon, humbling in grandeur. Though named after the Little Missouri River

On the outskirts of Denver lies an unassuming building that, in contrast to its humble exterior, is the beating heart of federal firefighting efforts in the Rocky Mountains. Walking through the doors

Imagine you’re a tourist visiting Washington, DC. As you walk along the south side of the Mall towards the Washington Monument, out of the corner of your eye, you see a tall cut-out of a bear in blue

Last year we talked about national forests being like our favorite sweaters — much loved but getting a bit frazzled around the edges and needing some repairs. The kind of unraveling that happens to

Here at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, wildfire prevention is a big priority. There’s no better ambassador of that essential message than everyone’s favorite wildfire prevention

Sagebrush landscapes are often thought of as dry, rugged and lacking plant and wildlife diversity. I am here to tell you—nothing is further from the truth. Having spent years working in these

When a tornado swept through the Sabine National Forest in March 2025, it left behind a trail of broken trees, downed limbs and hundreds of acres of damaged timber. But in just 28 days, the Forest

With a paint can in hand, a forester walks step by step through the dense Arizona ponderosa pine forest, marking trees with distinctive orange streaks. The forester is part of a timber-marking crew

Mass timber is transforming how America builds—but supply hasn’t kept pace with demand. A gap in domestic manufacturing has slowed widespread adoption, leaving many developers with few options beyond