International Cooperation
Did you know the U.S. Forest Service also works internationally to tackle global challenges? Through partnerships around the world, the agency advances efforts like reducing wildfire risk and smoke impacts, combatting illegal logging, and protecting migratory species—bringing benefits back to Americans, including those who live near the Coronado National Forest, our only national forest that borders Mexico.
Thematic Areas
Rebeca Gonzalez Barajas (right) acts as incident command leader for a wildfire simulation at the Coronado Gordon Hirabayashi campground in Tuscon, Arizona during a Women in Fire seminar. Forest Service fire specialist Isidoro Solis (left) looks on and acts as a mentor for the simulation.
Photo Credit: (USDA Forest Service photo by Rafael Flores)Wildfire and smoke don’t recognize borders—so the U.S. Forest Service works closely with Mexican partners to train firefighters, strengthen local brigades, and improve wildfire and smoke management along the U.S.-Mexico border. These efforts reduce threats to communities and natural resources on both sides, while ensuring a coordinated, efficient response when fire strikes.
Since 2020, the Forest Service has trained 1674 wildland firefighters in Mexico. As a result of these trainings, Mexico has been able to send qualified firefighters to the U.S. during extreme wildfire events like those in 2020 and recently in 2025. Participation of Mexican firefighters enables the U.S. to more effectively combat wildfires without unduly expending other vital national resources.
Learn more about our longstanding partnership with Mexico: https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/features/usa-and-mexico-share-skills-and-good-practices-fight-wildfires
The U.S. and Mexico have joint national and local operating plans that enable resource sharing and coordination between the two countries in the event of a wildfire along the border. Learn more about the operating plan here.
A Lark Bunting perches a top a cholla cactus. Lark Buntings migrate from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Protecting their habitat along the entire flyway is critical to ensure the survival of this and other migratory species.
Photo Credit: (Photo by Jose Hugo Martinez)Migratory species like birds, bats, and butterflies provide essential services to people by pollinating crops, controlling pests, and supporting healthy ecosystems. Despite their value, many of these species face growing threats and declining populations. The Forest Service partners with local, national, and international organizations across the Americas to protect and restore critical habitats, develop conservation education programs, and improve protected area management that supports these vital species.
Ranchers in southern Arizona lead a workshop on livestock management as part of the International Seminar on Sustainable Ranching.
Photo Credit: (USDA Forest Service by David Borre)The Coronado National Forest includes the vital Chihuahuan grassland ecosystem that extends into northern Mexico and supports water conservation, biodiversity, migratory species habitat, and recreation. The Forest Service collaborates with ranchers, farmers, and partner organizations to sustainably manage this important ecosystem. Activities in Mexico include reforesting degraded areas with agave plants to provide necessary agave nectar for bats, working with ranchers to implement sustainable grazing plans that benefit both people and the land, and training rural communities in grasslands restoration.
Learn more about the Forest Service's international sustainable ranching program here.
Wood identification specialist, Fabiola López, stands over timber samples collected from southern Mexico that will be added to the global network of reference timber databases. These databases support the rapid identification of suspect timber shipments are inspected along U.S. ports and borders.
Photo Credit: (USDA Forest Service photo by Rafael Flores)Crimes like Illegal logging and wildlife trafficking harm both people and the environment. The Forest Service helps combat these threats, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border, by sharing expertise in international policy, forest monitoring, law enforcement, and wood identification. The Agency’s Wood Identification & Screening Center (WISC) uses advanced technologies and methods to identify timber species and support investigations. In 2023, Mexico joined the Forest Service’s global network of WISC laboratories; Mexico now can analyze timber shipments and stop illegal timber before it enters the U.S. or is exported to other countries.