Urban Field Stations

An Urban Field Station is both a physical place and an extensive network of interdisciplinary scientists and partners working on developing research, curating data, and advancing and delivering science to improve the quality of life and natural resources in urban and urbanizing areas, using an integrated socio-ecological approach. When the Forest Service was established in the early 20th century, 80% of the U.S. population lived in rural areas. Currently, in the early 21st century, more than 80% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas. Urban Field Stations extend the mission and relevance of the Forest Service, enabling the agency to connect with and serve a larger and more diverse portion of the U.S. population, and to serve the public by providing the science that helps us better steward urban ecosystems.