Publications

In response to Executive Order 14072, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management analyzed the threats to mature and old-growth forests on Federal lands, including from wildfires and climate change. As recognized in Section 1 of E.O. 14072, old-growth forests have decreased significantly from what existed historically. Understanding what threatens mature and old-growth forests is imperative to conserving and managing these forests and protecting their ecological, social, cultural, and economic value.

As the climate warms, suitable habitat for many tree species is shifting northward. Assisted migration is a process that helps establish native trees in areas that are or will be suitable habitat in the future. This handbook compiles guidance for transferring seeds and seedlings to improve nurseries' efforts in restoration, reforestation, and afforestation.

The Forest Inventory and Analysis Program developed a national methodology for compatible predictions of tree volume, biomass, and carbon content for species populating U.S. forest lands. This report serves as the primary reference for the outcome of those efforts and describes all the relevant aspects of the data, statistical modeling methods, and results.

Fiscal year 2023 marked the second year of annual reporting for the Climate Action Tracker, which is the Forest Service’s primary reporting and tracking tool on climate change actions. This publication, a synopsis of the full Climate Action Tracker report, summarizes agency progress on climate change adaptation and carbon stewardship as well as progress with integrating environmental justice and Tribal engagement into the agency’s climate programs, planning, and actions.

In response to Executive Order 14072, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have defined and inventoried old-growth and mature forests on lands that the two agencies manage. This report synthesizes those findings and details how the inventory was completed. Of the 178 million acres of forest land managed by the agencies, over 80 million are defined as mature and 33 million as old-growth.

This guide provides planting and care information for recipients of Moon Tree seedlings grown from seeds flown aboard the Artemis I mission. Instructions in the guide pertain to planting preparation, basic planting techniques, watering, weeding, mulching, protection of young seedlings, pruning, and general maintenance and health checks.

This activity booklet is part of a series highlighting fossils of prehistoric life, and the ecosystems where they lived, that are found on national forests and grasslands. "Last of the Dinosaurs" looks at the Hell Creek Formation in present-day Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The iconic animals that thrived in this region—like T. Rex and Triceratops—were the last dinosaurs to walk the Earth before a meteor impact brought an end to the Cretaceous period and most of the planet's life.

As the agency's Wildfire Crisis Strategy enters its third year, this publication looks back at what was accomplished on the 21 landscapes during fiscal year 2023. It highlights the successful partnerships, new management practices, and on-the-ground efforts that have reduced wildfire risk for communities, infrastructure, and natural resources. The document also looks forward to how work will continue to be funded and implemented, through both new and existing sources and programs.

Every 3 years, under Section 3 of Executive Order 13287 ("Preserve America"), Federal agencies prepare a report on their progress identifying, protecting, and managing historic properties for the public.

This primer provides information for Tribes on Forest Service programs and landownership authorities that promote co-stewardship of land between the agency and Indigenous nations. It is part of an ongoing effort to fulfill the trust responsibility to Tribes in the stewardship of Federal lands and waters (Joint Secretarial Order 3403).

This report shares a synthesis of discussions between USDA Forest Service staff and partners regarding recreation. The workshop summary is a part of the larger "Reimagine Recreation" campaign of the Forest Service, which aims to improve recreation services across national forests and grasslands.

In 2022, the USDA Forest Service engaged with its employees about the current state of its recreation program. This report shows the results from that internal engagement, focusing on five specific areas: workforce support, infrastructure, external collaboration, visitor use, and organizational management and leadership.

The Forest Service's action plan on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) aligns with the goals presented in USDA’s DEIA Strategic Plan and follows Federal requirements for agencies to advance DEIA in their workforce policies, practices, and culture. The plan was drafted in partnership with the Office of Civil Rights, Work Environment and Performance Office, and Human Resource Management to advance DEIA in the Forest Service.

Sustainability Indicator 6.36 synthesizes research findings about forest sustainability in the United States based on the Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Temperate and Boreal Forests. It is one of 54 indicator reports that serve as the foundation for “National Report on Sustainable Forests, 2020” (FS-1217).

Sustainability Indicator 6.29 synthesizes research findings about forest sustainability in the United States based on the Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Temperate and Boreal Forests. It is one of 54 indicator reports that serve as the foundation for “National Report on Sustainable Forests, 2020” (FS-1217).