Integrating ecosystem services into national Forest Service policy and operations

Abstract

The ecosystem services concept describes the many benefits people receive from nature. It highlights the importance of managing public and private lands sustainably to ensure these benefits continue into the future, and it closely aligns with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) mission to “sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.” In response to growing interest in ecosystem services, the USFS is identifying needs and opportunities to incorporate an ecosystem services approach into its programs and activities. The National Ecosystem Services Strategy Team was chartered in 2013 to collaboratively develop national strategy and policy around ecosystem services and integrate them into USFS programs and operations. In this report, we identify several focus areas for taking advantage of additional opportunities and needs, and summarize some of the ongoing efforts to integrate ecosystem services into USFS policy and operations.