Flying UAS for Natural Resource Management Missions on National Forest System Lands

The USDA Forest Service is highly interested in new technologies such as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

The Forest Service has taken significant steps to establish a formal UAS program needed to ensure appropriate, safe and cost-effective UAS flight missions for the agency. These steps include appointing a UAS program manger, establishing a UAS executive steering committee and conducting test missions and evaluations.

Visit the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website to learn more about flying UAS.

Contact a Forest Service regional aviation officer for more information about flying a drone over National Forest System lands.