Forest Inventory and Analysis Urban Program Fact Sheet

Since its inception in 1928 with the passage of the McSweeney/McNary Act, the Forest Inventory and Analysis program has continuously evolved and adapted to meet the growing needs of citizens and policy makers. After an initial focus on harvestable timberlands, the program eventually evolved to include all forestlands. As scientific knowledge grew, it became increasingly evident that research of the impacts and benefits of urban trees was needed, and the FIA program was poised for further enhancement. The 2014 Farm Bill asked FIA to explore options to expand the inventory grid into urban areas. The current Urban FIA program grew out of that request, moving the program beyond forestland to include an inventory of urban forests