The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state wildlife agencies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service is the federal agency that manages 191 million acres of public lands in national forests and grasslands. The Forest Service is also the largest forestry research organization in the world, and provides technical and financial assistance to state and private forestry agencies.
National forests provide opportunities for recreation in open spaces and natural environments.
With more and more people living in urban areas, national forests are becoming more important and valuable to Americans. People enjoy a wide variety of activities on national forests, including backpacking in remote, unroaded wilderness areas, snow shoeing and cross-country skiing over a challenging trail, enjoying the views along a scenic byway, or fishing in a great trout stream. Concerned citizens play a key role in Forest Service decisions. By expressing their views to Forest Service managers, they will help balance all of these uses and make decisions in the best interest of the forest and the public. Public input and feedback is welcomed and encouraged by the Forest Service.