A component of the Forest Health Monitoring Program designed to determine the extent, severity, and causes of undesirable changes in forest health.

A program to help bring research results into practice by developing cutting edge technologies and field operation methods that provide field specialists with tools to restore and protect America's forests.

The Forest Service Pesticide Impact Assessment Program evaluates the benefits and impacts of pesticide use in forest environments.

A component of the Biological Control Program designed to develop methods and technologies that address the spread and impacts of invasive forest pests.

Aerial treatment operations- fixed wing aircraft applying pesticide over forest for Lymnatria dispar control. Courtesy photo from bugwood.org, USDA APHIS PPQ.

The Forest Health Protection staff of the USDA Forest Service has the responsibility of managing and coordinating the proper use of pesticides within the National Forest System (NFS). It is also responsible for providing technical advice and support, and for conducting training to maintain technical expertise.

Health & Safety
Pesticide Registration
Virus Products
Pesticide Use Risk Assessments & Worksheets

Mile-a-minute weevil (Rhinoncomimus latipes) on vine. Courtesy photo from bugwood.org, by Ellen Lake, University of Delaware.

The Biological Control program is tiered to the broader Forest Service's National Strategic Framework for Invasive Species Management as well as regional plans dealing with invasive species. The Biological Control program focuses its resources on a few insects and weed species that have the greatest potential for biological control.

Identify natural enemies for biological control of invasive species
Coordinate funding for biological control
Develop recommendations for the restoration of native plant species

Larva of the Douglas-fir tussock moth, Orgyia psuedotsugata, on white fir. Courtesy photo from bugwood.org, by Donald Owen, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The Biopesticides Program serves as an up-to-date information source on biopesticides, biologically based products such as semiochemicals and microbial agents, used by State and Private Forestry staffs, nationwide, for short-term control of invasive species.

Increase awareness on the use of biopesticides
Form partnerships and coordinate the development and implementation of biopesticides

Native insects and pathogens are an important part of a healthy forest ecosystem, but when environmental and biological conditions favor their development into outbreak status they can cause significant losses to forests. Several of these insects and pathogens, such as bark beetles and root diseases, have had extensive impacts forests in western and southern forests. Forest Health Protection along with state, Federal and Tribal partners survey, monitor and manage infestations of these native pest outbreaks.

Native Forest Insects
Native Forest Pathogens
Abiotic Forest Damage

An invasive species is an alien [non-native] species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health (Executive Order 13112). Species invasions are one of the main ecological consequences of global changes in climate and land use. Most invasions over the past several centuries have involved species transported directly or indirectly by humans. Forest Health Protection will continue to work very closely with its partners to manage native and non-native pests and reduce the flow of non-native invasive forest pests into the U.S. Forest Health Protection's vision is that the Forest Service will maintain a robust program that protects the nation's forests from extraordinary levels of damage from both native and non-native invasive insects, pathogens, and plants through the continued implementation of an integrated system of prevention, eradication, management, and restoration.

Invasive Forest Insects
Invasive Forest Pathogens
Invasive Plants

Forest Health Protection works in coordination with the USDA Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP) and others to develop, promote, and implement integrated pest management (IPM) approaches. IPM employs a variety of chemical, cultural, mechanical, and biological techniques and tools to prevent, detect, and thwart forestry pests, such as invasive weeds, insects and pathogens.

Pesticide Management
Biological Control
Biopesticides