Learn about USDA's Environment and Land Stewardship Programs
The USDA has a deep commitment to the conservation of natural resources. Two of its agencies, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the United States Forest Service, are particularly focused on the stewardship and protection of natural resources. In the section below, you can find information and links on the work of these agencies.
Natural resources conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters. Public benefits include enhanced natural resources that help sustain agricultural productivity and environmental quality while supporting continued economic development, recreation, and scenic beauty.
The Forest Service was established in 1905 and is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Forest Service manages public lands in national forests and grasslands, which encompass 193 million acres.
Some programs that are provided by the Forest Service are:
