Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the USDA Forest Service announced it surpassed goals in 2020. The agency sold more than 3.2 billion BF of timber, the second highest level in 20 years. It also improved forest conditions and reduced wildfire risk on more than 2.65 million acres, removing hazardous fuels like dead and downed trees, and combating disease, insect and invasive species infestations.
“2020 was a challenging year with record wildland fire activity and the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the Forest Service, we have risen above these challenges and set our minds, hands and hearts to carrying out our mission to meet the needs of the communities we serve,” says Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen.
The Forest Service will have nearly completed all guidance to implement new legislative authorities in the 2018 Farm Bill. In addition, officials quickly began implementing President Trump’s Great American Outdoors Act to increase access to national forests and grasslands and make progress towards reducing the agency’s $5 billion infrastructure backlog.