Forest Health
The Forest Service works to maintain, enhance, and restore healthy forest conditions on the national forests and grasslands in order to provide the American public with essential raw materials, clean water, and economic prosperity. We partner with landowners and conduct forest insect, disease, and invasive plant surveys, monitor trends in forest health and benefits, and provide technical and financial assistance to prevent, suppress and control outbreaks threatening forest resources.
The Forest Heath program benefit communities by:
- Creating jobs and revenue in timber, rangeland management, recreation, and forest restoration.
- Enhancing public safety by lowering the risks of wildfire and improving access.
- Boosting tourism and recreation by maintaining healthy, accessible National Forests.
What we offer
Our program provides resources and opportunities for various stakeholders, including businesses, land managers, and local governments.
Key Benefits & Services:
✅ Economic Growth – Timber sales and restoration work create jobs and sustain local economies.
✅ Public Safety – Limiting the impact of insects and disease reduces wildfire risks, helping protect communities and watersheds.
✅ Forest Access & Recreation – Clearing hazard trees and improving forest conditions enhances visitor safety and experience.
✅ Forest Health Monitoring - Developing data & tools for a wide variety of land managers to determine status, changes, & trends in indicators of forest conditions
✅ Partnerships & Funding – We collaborate with local officials, agencies, and organizations through cost-sharing, grants, and programs like the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program.
Get Involved and Learn More
Forest Health Protection
We provide technical assistance on forest health-related matters, particularly those related to disturbance agents such as native and non-native insects, pathogens, and invasive plants.
Disease & Insect Field Guide
Field guide to the common diseases and insect pests of Oregon and Washington conifers. (pdf document 29.6 MB)
Forest Health Monitoring
The Forest Health Monitoring program uses data from ground plots and surveys, aerial surveys, and other data sources to develop analytical approaches to address forest health issues. To learn more about the forest health monitoring program please visit the national Forest Service Health Monitoring website.
Learn more about the aerial detection surveys and download aerial detection survey data.