Forest Health
What does Forest Health Protection (FHP) do?
We work in partnership with the National Forest System (NFS), other federal agencies, states, Native American tribes and the private sector, to provide assistance, technical expertise, and forest health information. Forest Health Protection (FHP) staff includes specialists in forest pathology, forest entomology, pesticide use and safety, remote sensing, and geographic information systems. We provide assistance in the following areas:
Our Work
Forest Service research delivers the best available science to maintain, enhance, and restore public and private forests and grasslands. Our scientists and others are on the leading edge of research in forestry, rangeland management, biological and physical sciences, and socioeconomics to guide the agency’s land management work. We do the following:
Protecting campground trees from bark beetles
Forest Health Protection entomologists have a couple options for protecting campground trees: bark beetle pheromones or insecticides.
Forest Health Monitoring
Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) is a national program designed to determine the status, changes, and trends in indicators of forest condition on an annual basis.
Pesticide-Use Management
FHP staff are responsible for managing and coordinating the proper use of pesticides within the National Forest System.
Aerial Detection Survey
Tree mortality and other forest damage is detected by annual aerial surveys over forested lands.
Shared Service Areas
Forest Health expertise is provided across all lands (not limited to the National Forest System) by entomologist and plant pathologist teams located in four areas of the state.
Invasive Species
Invasive species have been identified by the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service as one of the four significant threats to our Nation’s forest and rangeland ecosystems.
Insects and Diseases
California is home to a number of forest insects and diseases.
FHP in Hawaiʻi & the US Affiliated Pacific Islands
Providing forest health technical assistance, training, sessions, and technology transfer to Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands.
Cooperators
Some of our cooperators include: