America’s forests and grasslands are inextricably tied to current and future impacts of climate change. Healthy forest and grassland ecosystems are vital to the wellbeing and livelihoods of all Americans. These ecosystems provide drinking water for millions of people, influence the global carbon balance, supply food, support rural and urban jobs, provide places to recreate, and are home to diverse fish and wildlife populations. Climate change is already having substantial impacts on these systems, which are increasingly stressed by severe wildfires, invasive species, diseases, drought, and seasonal shifts.

Forest Service research provides the scientific foundations needed to manage forests and grasslands across the country. Climate change is a defining challenge of this century, and Forest Service scientists are at the forefront, providing data and adaptive management and mitigation strategies that make forests and grasslands more resilient, communities more prepared, and green markets and initiatives more viable.