III. Field Guide to the Forest Service

This chapter provides a brief overview of the Forest Service, its organizational structure, and the responsibilities of the different parts of the organization. Familiarity with this structure will help partners understand the role of key individuals within the Forest Service and those they may work with in a partnership. The chapter describes:

The Forest Service website provides additional information about the agency, its programs, and the public lands it manages.

Forest Service Structure

There is more to the Forest Service than the 192 million acres it manages in the National Forests and Grasslands. The Forest Service is made up of three branches. They are:

In addition, a staff group in Washington D.C. (International Programs) manages Forest Service involvement overseas and reports directly to the Chief of the Forest Service. International Programs provides forestry and natural resource technical assistance to developing countries around the world. It works in partnership with other U.S. government agencies, the United Nations, international non-governmental organizations, and host-country government counterparts.

Each of the three branches and International Programs operates under its own rules, regulations, and Congressional authority. Each branch receives budgets through the federal appropriations process, and money is not easily transferred between branches. It is important to recognize that different sets of laws, policies, and regulations affect how each of the three branches can enter into partnerships.

Broad policy for all three branches and International Programs is formulated at the national headquarters for the Forest Service. It is located in Washington, D.C., and is often referred to as the WO (Washington Office). The WO works with the President's administration to develop budgets and interfaces with Congress on all agency issues. The Chief oversees all aspects of the Forest Service and reports to the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment in the Department of Agriculture.

The Forest Service Manual (FSM) and the Forest Service Handbook (FSH) codify the agency's policy, practice, and procedure. This Partnership Guide provides many references to sections of the FSM and FSH to help users locate more in-depth information related to Forest Service policies. The FSM and FSH are available on the Forest Service website.