Forest & Grassland Health
Forest Health Protection in the Northern (Region 1) and Intermountain (Region 4) Regions provides technical and financial assistance for all land ownerships within these regions. We work under the State, Private and Tribal Forestry organization of the USDA Forest Service and are part of the National Forest Health Protection Program. We assist with forest health issues particularly related to forest and range disturbance agents that include native and non-native insects, pathogens, and invasive plants. We primarily assist Federal and tribal land managers directly and cooperate with State Forest Health specialists who assist primarily state and private land managers.
Our specialists include entomologists, plant pathologists, pesticide specialists, GIS specialists, aerial survey specialists, and biological technicians located in four field offices: Boise, Idaho; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Missoula, Montana; and Ogden, Utah. See map for field office locations and respective service areas.
Technical Assistance
- Detect, monitor, evaluate, and report potentially damaging forest diseases and insects
- Site visits, training, workshops, presentations, and publications tailored to meet various audiences
- Develop effective management strategies for forest insects and diseases
- Integrate and monitor biological control for invasive weed management
- Pesticide and pheromone use and coordination
- Participate in forest planning and implementation efforts
Financial Assistance
- Insect and disease suppression, prevention and/or restoration projects technology for management of forest insects and diseases and invasive weeds
- Developing or applying new technology for management of forest insects and diseases and invasive weeds
Key Resources
Forest Health Condition Reports and Forest Health Highlights
Forest condition reports are developed in collaboration with state partners and provide updates on the status of major forest pests within the Northern and Intermountain Region by state. A national report, Major Forest Insect and Disease Conditions in the United States, is produced annually.
For more information on forest health conditions in your state, click the links below:
Identification and Management Guides
Need help with identification or management of a forest insect or disease in the Northern and Intermountain Regions? Check out these identification and management guides:
- Field Guide to Diseases & Insect Pests of Northern & Central Rocky Mountain Conifers
- Management Guide for Insects and Diseases of Central & Northern Rocky Mountains
- Forest Insect & Disease Leaflets
- A Guide to Identifying, Assessing, and Managing Hazard Trees in Developed Recreational Sites of the Northern Rocky Mountains and Intermountain West
- Photo Guide to Pruning Western White Pine to Control White Pine Blister Rust
- Field Guide to Diseases and Insects of Quaking Aspen in the West, Part I: Wood and Bark Boring Insects
- References for Landowners and Natural Resource Managers
- R1 Vegetation Management Planning in Recreation Areas-User Guide and fillable Template
Publications and Reports
Search for publications by Region 1 and Region 4 Forest Health Protection.
- Publications and Reports (at Pinyon Public)
Aerial Insect and Disease Detection
The Forest Health Protection Aviation Program conducts annual forest insect and disease detection surveys using aerial sketchmapping techniques across approximately 80 million forested acres of all land ownerships in the Northern and Intermountain Regions. The regional surveys have slightly more details than the national data sets. The data from these surveys are used in forest insect and disease condition reports and are available at:
- Northern and Intermountain Regions Aerial Insect and Disease Detection Surveys
- National Insect and Disease Detection Surveys
Forest Vegetation Simulator Models
The Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) is a forest growth simulation model. It simulates forest vegetation change in response to natural succession, disturbances, and management. Forest Health Protection staff can provide addfiles that are specific to the Northern and Intermountain Regions, training documents and videos, as well as guidance and interpretation assistance of FVS model outputs.