Natural resource management refers to the management of natural resources such as land, water, soil, plants and animals, with a particular focus on how management affects the quality of life for both present and future generations. The goal of resource management is to maintain and improve the condition of the land while meeting the needs of the public. Natural resource management specifically focuses on a scientific and technical understanding of resources and the life-supporting capacity of those resources.

We manage the Mendocino National Forest to maintain and restore healthy watersheds and diverse fire-adapted plant and animal communities. We administer our programs and infrastructure to provide a safe workplace for our employees and enjoyable experiences for the public. We foster partnerships and collaboration with stakeholders who are concerned about the health of our National Forest and protection of our communities.

We are committed to an adaptive approach to management that leaves the land in better condition than it is in now by focusing on improving the acres most in need and maintaining those acres currently in the best condition. As a result, our management will generate forest products and ecological services now and for future generations.

Appeals & Objections

An appeal is a request to a higher authority for administrative review of a decision. An appellant is a person or organization filing a notice of appeal. Usually, all administrative processes established by the Secretary or required by law must be exhausted before a person may bring a court action associated with resource management decisions.

Objections are written documents submitted by an individual or organization seeking a pre-decisional administrative review of a proposed hazardous fuel reduction project authorized by the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003.

Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which can be found in Title 5 of the United States Code, section 552, was enacted in 1966 and provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information. The USDA FOIA Public Access website has information on how the public can obtain access to records. Users can create an online profile and submit requests for information.

Land and Resource Management Plan

A forest plan provides the framework to guide the ongoing land and resource management operations of a National Forest. The goal of the Plan is to provide a management program reflecting a mix of activities for the use and protection of the Forest.

Ecological Restoration Implementation Plan

In March 2011 the Pacific Southwest Region of the US Forest Service released a statement of its Leadership Intent for Ecological Restoration, which laid out the Region's guiding vision and goals for its stewardship of wildland and forests for the next 15-20 years. This plan reflects the Regional leadership's current thinking on how the Leadership Intent will be implemented.

Related Links

• Forest Planning Rule 
• Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program
• Forest Legacy Program
• Penny Pines Reforestation Program