The United States Forest Service is responsible for the resurvey, management, and monumentation national forests. Its mission it to protect and preserve the country's natural resource. It administers several programs that improve the management of these natural resources. The National Recreation Strategy and forest fire research are two examples of these programs.
National forests were first established in the mid-19th Century. Edward T. Allen, a Pacific Northwest Region forester, was the first to be appointed as a regional forester. In the beginning of the 20th Century, national forests were mostly managed to harvest timber and for grazing. This meant that recreation on these lands was slow. However, recreation grew tremendously during the Roaring 20s. From campgrounds to road construction, there were more ways to enjoy national forests than ever before.
Twelve regional research stations were maintained by the Forest Service in the 1920s. These labs were dedicated to the collection of dendrological data and other information required to manage federal forests. After World War II however, the demand for additional forestry research increased. The Civilian Conservation Corps program developed in the 1930s. Enrollees were assigned to the West to fight wildfires. CCC constructed hundreds of lookout towers to locate and fight fires. Over a thousand men were working to put out fires by 1940. Although some women were employed, they rarely served in the field.
In the 1950s, fire protection in rural areas was given to the Forest Service. The Division of Fire Research was the first step in that direction. It was also given the authority to establish cooperative units. This legislation made the Forest Service more autonomous and changed its operation.
The Forest Service also created a professional standard for firefighters. It was known as the "10 a.m." policy. This required that fires be contained by 10 a.m. after a report of a fire was received. This was a stipulation that was echoed in other Federal agencies.
As the Roaring 20s began to fade away, the Forest Service created a National Recreation Strategy to address changing socio-economic conditions. The strategy called for the creation of public-private partnerships for outdoor recreation.
The creation of an internet network to track lightning strikes was a major component of this strategy. This network now has over 100 stations across the country and is used to track lightning strikes that cause fires. The Forest Service has begun to implement an ecosystem-based approach to forest management.
Forest Service's efforts are reflected in the success story of the National Recreation Strategy. Its research has also played a large role in helping to shape the way the agency operates. The Wagonwheel Gap Watershed Study, for example, was a joint U.S. and U.S. project. Weather Bureau and Forest Service. This study was used as a guideline for the creation of the National Park Service.