The Eastern Region State, Private, and Tribal Forestry programs collaborate with states, Tribes, landowners, and other partners to protect, conserve, and manage forests and community trees across the 20 Northeastern and Midwestern States and the District of Columbia.

We provide leadership, technical support, sound science, grants and financial assistance to help ensure that the region’s forests and trees continue to provide clean water, forest products, wildlife habitat, recreation, and other benefits for present and future generations.

Cooperative Fire

The goal of the cooperative fire program is to protect people, property, and resources while encouraging an integrated, well balanced fire management program in each state. We do that through our comprehensive wildland fire management programs, including grants and technical assistance.

Forest Health

Our Forest Health Protection work ensures the long-term health and sustainability of forests and trees through support to the states and the region’s national forests and other federal lands. We provide forest health monitoring information, promote integrated pest management, and provide technical and financial assistance to prevent, suppress, and control pest outbreaks.  

Forest Legacy

The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is a forest conservation program administered by the Forest Service in partnership with the states. Through FLP, significant privately owned forests under threat of conversion to non-forest uses are protected through conservation easements or land purchases.

Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program) of the USDA Forest Service offers an opportunity for communities through local units of government, federally recognized tribes and qualified nonprofit entities to acquire and conserve forests that provide public access and recreational opportunities, protect vital water supplies and wildlife habitat, serve as demonstration sites for private forest landowners, and provide economic benefits from timber and non-timber products.

Forest Markets

The goal of the Forest Markets Program is to encourage a more competitive, productive, and profitable forest products industry in the U.S.  Priority goals include promoting the sustainable use of woody biomass, improving efficiency in forest products manufacturing and wood utilization through innovative forest products.

Forest Stewardship

Families and individuals own the largest portion of forests in the region. The Forest Stewardship Program helps them to create a long-term vision and plan for their woodlands, so they will stay healthy, productive, and free from subdivision. The Forest Stewardship Program works through state forestry agencies to link local foresters and natural resource professionals with owners, to hear their goals, walk their property, and plan for the future.

Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR)

The Eastern Region’s Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) program supports state, federal, tribal, industrial, and private nurseries by providing key information to aid in the production of adequate supplies of reasonably priced, high quality, genetically adapted seedlings for reforestation, conservation, and restoration. Services include technical assistance to nurseries, research projects to address seedling and field issues, publications, and annual conferences and workshops.

Urban and Community Forestry

The Urban and Community Forestry Program provides support to states, cities, and nonprofit groups, so they can plant, protect, maintain, and utilize wood from community trees. Healthy trees and forests in urban areas contribute to improved air and water quality, watershed function, energy conservation, and social well-being.

Watershed Forestry Program

Our Watershed Forestry Program provides technical and financial assistance to states and communities, provides education and training, manages threats to forest health, and works in partnership at the local level to protect and enhance watersheds on state and private forest lands. Clean water is one of our most important and valuable forest products.