Understory

SILVAH-8: Understory Inventory Tally Sheet

SILVAH-8: Overstory Inventory Tally sheet

The frequency and severity of wildfires has increased in recent years. Hotter, drier conditions associated with changing climate make this problem more acute. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service research helps inform the efforts of land managers working to keep forests and grasslands healthy.

The Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program is legislated by Congress to conduct the Nation’s forest census. FIA works with States and many other partners to collect data from over 325,000 field sampling areas, or plots, across 50 States, U.S. Territories, and current and former protectorates. This data is used to produce annual and 5-year reports on the status and trends of our forests. FIA is the primary source of data on U.S. terrestrial carbon stocks and flux.

The CATT theme for Fiscal Year 2021 was overcoming challenges to deliver on our mission. We had a productive year, completing work on 8 field projects across 6 national forests and continuing our support of several Southern Research Station projects. We deployed our field teams to areas as far away as Louisiana, Arkansas, and Florida while tackling projects from stream fish and habitat monitoring to outreach and education. We provided our partners with information and resources they needed to maintain or restore healthy watersheds, connect people to the outdoors, and deliver high quality scien...

Across the country, people are planting and caring for trees, establishing community gardens, planning river cleanups, and organizing many other community greening efforts. As people work together to create stronger, healthier, greener, and more resilient communities, they become the stewards of their local environment. These acts of stewardship critically contribute to the care of natural resources and the well-being of communities across urban and rural areas. Knowing about the individuals and groups that care for natural resources provides the potential for governments, nonprofits, and othe...

This edition of the Institute’s Accomplishment Report for fiscal year FY 2021 is the first compiled since the passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017. As highlighted on this report, we have included two new sections, 1) Hurricane Recovery Projects, summarizing what we have learned about the effects of Hurricane Maria on forests in the U.S. Caribbean and their recovery, and 2) This Is Who We Are (TIWWA) piece showcasing our efforts in fostering our values as an Agency. We are proud of what the Institute has achieved and pleased to share these accomplishments with you. Many thanks to all who contribu...