FOREST HISTORY
How people’s past activities impacted the forests
The forestland that is now our national forests was once referred to as “the lands nobody wanted.” Clearing the forest from steep slopes had caused massive flooding, erosion and wildfires. The federal government stepped in to purchase these ravaged lands from private owners with the intent to restore the forest and its rivers. Creation of the Forest Service and the healing of once ravaged landscapes is one of the great conservation success stories.
A look back at the history of your forest
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