U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service is a USDA federal agency managing 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands across all 50 states, serving the public with recreation, wildfire response, timber sales, grazing permits, and conservation programs since 1905.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1905
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What U.S. Forest Service does
The U.S. Forest Service is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, established in 1905 to manage the nation's National Forest System. It administers 193 million acres of public land across 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, stewarding an additional ~900 million forested acres indirectly through private-landowner assistance and urban forestry. The organization employs roughly 30,000 people (per its Office of Civil Rights) and operates through nine regional headquarters, five research stations (Rocky Mountain, Forest Products Lab, Pacific Southwest, Southern Research, and Northern), and a distributed network of ranger districts and visitor centers.
The agency's core activities span wildfire detection and response (anchored by the ALERTCalifornia network of 1,200+ AI-enabled cameras covering roughly 3,600 incidents in 2025), timber production, grazing management for approximately 23,000 permittees and lessees, recreation access via passes and permits, conservation programs (Forest Legacy, Community Forest, Land and Water Conservation Fund), and forestry research. Recent technical work includes a shared patent with PathHouse LLC on a modular mass timber floor cassette system derived from small-diameter trees and forest debris, and the operating AlERTCalifornia AI wildfire detection system with UC San Diego, CAL FIRE, and Axis Communications. Distribution is direct to the public through federal recreation sites, ranger stations, recreation.gov, America the Beautiful passes, and interagency partnerships.
The U.S. Forest Service is funded primarily through congressional appropriations, with FY2026 funding set at $8.6 billion via the House appropriations bill, supplemented by supplemental disaster appropriations ($6.35 billion from the American Relief Act 2025), program-specific allocations ($230.6 million FY2025 Secure Rural Schools to 700+ counties, $80M+ Forest Legacy, up to $95 million Wood Innovations), and limited commercial revenue from timber sales, recreation fees, and grazing permits. Distribution runs through federal district offices, Recreation.gov, community-forest grants to local and tribal governments, and direct-to-consumer channels. Leadership is currently Tom Schultz (Forest Service Chief), operating under a 2026 reorganization that is relocating the headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Salt Lake City, Utah, consolidating 57 of 77 research facilities into a single Fort Collins, Colorado site, and replacing nine regional offices with 15 politically appointed state directors.
U.S. Forest Service firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- U.S. Forest Service
- Legal name
- U.S. Forest Service
- Website
- https://fs.usda.gov
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1905
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- The U.S. Forest Service is a USDA federal agency managing 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands across all 50 states, serving the public with recreation, wildfire response, timber sales, grazing permits, and conservation programs since 1905.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
U.S. Forest Service industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Federal Forest and Grassland Stewardship
- NAICS
- Forestry and Logging (113), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)
- SIC
- Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Forestry & Public Lands Administration (State/National Forests) (BPAIAMAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wildfire Risk Assessment, Prevention & Suppression Services (IMAMAJAG), Timberland & Forest Asset Management (IMAMAJAA), Forest Ecosystem Services & Carbon/Conservation Programs (AFAMAAAJ), Forest Health Management (Pest, Disease & Invasive Species Control) (AFAMAAAE)
Keywords
Where U.S. Forest Service is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices16 records
Markets served
U.S. Forest Service business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Federal Appropriations: Primary funding comes from congressional appropriations through the federal budget. The agency receives funding through multiple appropriations bills including $8.6 billion in Forest Service funding per FY2026 appropriations.
- Timber Sales: Commercial timber sales through competitive bids on National Forest System lands, governed by federal regulations. Revenue generated from timber harvesting on public lands.
- Recreation Fees and Permits: The agency collects fees for recreation activities including passes, permits, and camping fees at developed recreation sites. America the Beautiful passes provide access to federal lands.
- Grazing Permits: The agency manages grazing allotments for cattle and livestock on National Forest System lands, with approximately 23,000 permittees and lessees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Community Forest Program |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Recreation Passes and Permits |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
U.S. Forest Service product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands across the United States, delivering public access through recreation sites, passes and permits, and visitor centers. It administers commercial programs including timber sales and grazing permits on federal lands, runs wildfire detection and response systems (including the ALERTCalifornia program), and operates the world's largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations. The agency also administers conservation grant programs such as the Community Forest Program and Forest Legacy Program to support state, tribal, and nonprofit partners.
Product overview
The U.S. Forest Service is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture that manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. The agency provides public access for recreation, manages forest health and wildfire response, supports timber production, grazing permits, and conservation programs. It operates various resource management programs including fire management, disaster recovery, invasive species control, and community forest initiatives. The agency does not offer commercial software products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- U.S. Wildland Fire Service: The wildland firefighting division of the U.S. Forest Service that manages federal firefighting efforts.
Products and services
- National Forest Recreation Access (Passes and Permits) Public recreation access service for individual visitors and families to national forests and grasslands for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, skiing, and wildlife viewing, delivered through visitor centers, district offices, ranger stations, and online platforms.
- Timber Sales Program Competitive-bid commercial timber harvesting program on National Forest System lands for timber companies and wood products businesses, governed by federal regulations.
- Grazing Permit Program Livestock grazing allotment and permit service on National Forest System rangelands for approximately 23,000 permittees and lessees including ranchers and livestock operators.
- ALERTCalifornia Wildfire Detection Program AI-powered wildfire detection service deploying over 1,200 cameras across California to detect wildfires and support emergency response, with over 50% of alerts received before any 9-1-1 reports. Supported response for approximately 3,600 wildfire incidents in 2025.
- Community Forest Program Grant program paying up to 50% of project costs for community forest acquisition, requiring a 50% non-federal match, with full fee title acquisition required. Funds local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofits to acquire and manage community forests.
- Forest Legacy Program Conservation program funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund that awards grants for permanent conservation of forestlands, including projects such as the 1,131-acre Foys to Blacktail Community Forest Project funded at $2.9 million and the 1,446-acre Talladega National Forest boundary acquisition.
- Wood Innovations Program Grants Grant funding program providing up to $95 million for innovative wood uses and forest product processing, complemented by a $100 million Softwood Lumber Board investment partnership supporting mass timber development through the Accelerator Cities Program.
- Secure Rural Schools Funding Distribution Statutory funding distribution program providing $230.6 million in FY2025 and $182 million in retroactive FY2024 payments to over 700 counties for schools, roads, and community services tied to forest-dependent rural economies.
- America the Beautiful Pass Interagency federal recreation pass providing access to national forests, parks, and wildlife refuges, with fee-free access on designated days.
- Forestry Research and Development (Research Stations) Forestry and wildland fire research and data products delivered through five research stations (Rocky Mountain Research Station, Forest Products Laboratory, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Southern Research Station, and Northern Research Station) and through the Forest Inventory and Analysis data systems.
Quantifiable outcome
- Restored over 41,000 miles of trails in partnership with the National Forest Foundation over 20 years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use U.S. Forest Service
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
U.S. Forest Service technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
U.S. Forest Service partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Arizona Game and Fish DepartmentcoreCollaborated on narrow-headed garter snake conservation and breeding program, with teams releasing captive-born snakes into Canyon Creek within Tonto National Forest as part of species recovery efforts.
- Phoenix ZoocorePartner in breeding program for threatened narrow-headed garter snakes, having achieved 100th snake returned to the wild through the zoo's captive breeding efforts.
- Amphibian and Reptile ConservancycorePartnered on narrow-headed garter snake conservation efforts including the release of captive-born snakes into Tonto National Forest.
- University of ArizonacoreAcademic partner in snake conservation and release program, providing research expertise for wildlife recovery efforts.
- National Forest FoundationcoreCollaborative restoration partner for Hanging Lake Trail reconstruction ($4.7 million project), and trail restoration efforts having restored over 41,000 miles of trails over 20 years.
- City of Glenwood SpringsmajorPartner in Hanging Lake Trail restoration project, which reopened June 18, 2026 after $4.7 million reconstruction following Grizzly Creek Fire damage.
- Colorado Parks and WildlifemajorPartner in Hanging Lake restoration and broader Colorado conservation efforts.
- The Conservation FundcorePartner in Land and Water Conservation Fund acquisitions, having protected 1,446 acres along Talladega National Forest boundary and 480 acres on Mount Bross including DeCaLiBron Loop trail portion.
- University of California San Diego (ALERTCalifornia)coreAI-powered wildfire detection program using 1,200+ cameras, with over 50% of alerts received before any 9-1-1 reports. Supported response for approximately 3,600 wildfire incidents in 2025.
- CAL FIREcoreCalifornia's state fire agency collaborating on the ALERTCalifornia wildfire detection system and emergency response.
- Axis CommunicationsmajorTechnology partner providing camera hardware for the ALERTCalifornia network of 1,200+ cameras detecting wildfires across California.
- State of UtahcoreShared stewardship agreement signed January 8, 2026 giving Utah greater role in managing over 8 million acres of national forest land. Third state after Idaho and Montana to formalize such compact.
- State of IdahocoreShared Stewardship agreement renewed December 2024 with goal to double timber sales from National Forest land to 100 million board feet annually within five years, backed by $4 million in Forest Service funding.
- State of MontanacoreShared stewardship agreement similar to Idaho, formalizing state involvement in managing federal forest lands.
- National Waste and Recycling FoundationminorPartnership on Woodsy Owl 'Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!' PSA campaign addressing battery fire risks, with pilot programs collecting over 1,500 pounds of batteries.
- Ducks UnlimitedmajorConservation partnership leveraging $10 million USFS award to restore wetlands in Louisiana and Mississippi Alluvial Valley, with private contributions from Meta and Bonneville Environmental Foundation.
- American ForestsmajorCo-authored report quantifying climate-smart forest management potential in Minnesota, advancing forest carbon and climate research.
- The Nature ConservancycorePartner in Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) across 3-million-acre ponderosa pine forest landscape in northern Arizona, generating $216 million economic impact in 2023.
- Boise State UniversitymajorPartner in $4 million NSF EPSCoR research grant investigating prescribed burns and managed wildfires, collaborating with Navajo Technical University, Northwest Nazarene University, and University of Oklahoma.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
U.S. Forest Service competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
U.S. Forest Service social profiles
Digital presenceU.S. Forest Service financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
U.S. Forest Service leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
U.S. Forest Service funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
U.S. Forest Service M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments6 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about U.S. Forest Service
What does U.S. Forest Service do?
The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands across the United States, delivering public access through recreation sites, passes and permits, and visitor centers. It administers commercial programs including timber sales and grazing permits on federal lands, runs wildfire detection and response systems (including the ALERTCalifornia program), and operates the world's largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations. The agency also administers conservation grant programs such as the Community Forest Program and Forest Legacy Program to support state, tribal, and nonprofit partners.
Is U.S. Forest Service a public or private company?
U.S. Forest Service is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was U.S. Forest Service founded?
U.S. Forest Service was founded in 1905. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is U.S. Forest Service based?
U.S. Forest Service is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does U.S. Forest Service make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Federal Appropriations are the primary driver. The others are timber Sales, recreation Fees and Permits and grazing Permits.
Does U.S. Forest Service have an API?
No public API is recorded for U.S. Forest Service.
What industry is U.S. Forest Service in?
U.S. Forest Service's product category is Federal Forest and Grassland Stewardship. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAMAF, Forestry & Public Lands Administration (State/National Forests), with a secondary code of IMAMAJAG, Wildfire Risk Assessment, Prevention & Suppression Services. Its NAICS code is 113 and its SIC code is 800.