On Earth Day, we can be proud of our conservation work that benefits so many people and communities.

For over a century, the USDA Forest Service has united people and communities in conservation efforts and fostered sustainable economic, ecological and social vitality. We connect people to nature and each other through work that is grounded in cutting-edge science and technology.

The health of our nation is directly tied to the health of forests, public and private. The Forest Service plays a vital role in ensuring national forests and grasslands are environmentally and economically productive and shares knowledge with federal and non-federal woodland owners.

The modern forestry sector recognizes the importance of sustainable forestry and logging practices to ensure that more trees are planted than harvested. This keeps forests healthy now and into the future. Land managers, sportsmen and women, and conservationists understand that everybody benefits from healthy, working forests.

The nation's forests are an important source of timber for our domestic wood products sector. Sustainably harvesting timber from national forests supports the economy, helps makes forests healthier and aids in reducing wildfire risks to communities. We are working more closely than ever with loggers and wood products manufacturers to strengthen forest management and support prosperous rural communities.

Wood is an essential renewable resource, and sustainably harvesting wood makes critical forest management activities possible. Essential forest management, like thinning overgrown forests and prescribed fire, reduces the risks of wildfires and supports healthy ecosystems.

And to foster the continued availability of this resource, we also engage in reforestation efforts by planting seedlings in the right place, at the right time, with the right trees and at the right densities.

On Earth Day, we recognize that the work to expand reforestation and ensure healthy, diverse and productive forests exist for future generations cannot be carried out alone. That's why we work closely with partners across our national forests and on tribal, state and private lands. We work not just with government and nonprofits; we work with private landowners, businesses and the timber industry to support strong markets for local, sustainably sourced wood.

We know we cannot be successful alone. Collaboration and partnerships accelerate and amplify our success. Thank you for being a part of our important conservation mission.

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