The Forest Service International Foundation was established as an American non-profit organization to support the objectives of the International Programs and Trade Office of the United States Forest Service (USFS IPT).
In addition, the Foundation partners with global donors and institutions to advance sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and resilient communities and ecosystems
to protect U.S. wood products industry competitiveness and the environment.
to prevent the listing of species under the Endangered Species Act.
to keep pests from entering the U.S. and to mitigate outbreaks and new infestations.
to save lives and protect property.
Together, the Foundation and USFS IPT are delivering on our commitment to American prosperity and global stability.
We harness the power of both public and private sector funding together with the longstanding expertise and innovative partnerships of the Forest Service.
When wildlife species become listed under the Endangered Species Act, private landowners are burdened with regulations and restrictions on the management of their own lands. For example, if a bird species that nests in a pine forest becomes listed as “endangered,” the property owner of the forest may not be able to harvest timber normally. This type of listing can result in significant economic losses for agriculture and forestry industries.
For these reasons, USFS IPT invests in the protection of domestic and international habitat of migratory wildlife species to prevent their populations from declining to the threshold for listing. USFS IPT is partnering with the Foundation to support habitats in 6 regions throughout the United States and in Latin America to keep species such as the monarch butterfly viable and to ensure that American landowners are free to manage their property without restrictions.
The United States is the largest supplier of forest products in the world, and America’s timber industry provides 2.5 million jobs through the supply chain. Illegal logging costs the United States forest products industry an estimated $500 million annually due to lost export opportunities and depressed wood prices. Trade in illegal wood also undermines the rights and livelihoods of people, reduces state tax revenue, and can lead to market distortion.
To combat illegal logging, the Forest Service International Foundation is partnering with USFS IPT to coordinate the identification and collection of key wood species involved in international timber trade. The Foundation is working to find samples of exotic trees that will contribute to a global wood collection database. The effort will include the creation of a central database that law enforcement agencies will use to better detect illegal timber imports.
On September 16, 2025, the USFS IPT provided hands-on training at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - New York/NewarkService Port in Newark, NJ on assessing high-risk cargo, physical sampling, andevidence documentation. Participants included 25 agents from the CBP, including:
· CBP Agriculture specialists assigned toPassenger Operations at Newark Airport
· CBP Agriculture specialists and other CBP officers assigned to Maritime Cargo Operations at port Newark Maritime Terminal
· CBP officers assigned to the Trade IntelligenceEnforcement Response Team at JFK International Airport
The training covered wood anatomy, sampling techniques, chemical analysis of wood samples, and wood species identification. Agents also learned how to collaborate with the Forest Service Wood Identification andScreening Center for analysis of suspicious wood shipments.
This program supports Lacey Act enforcement activities that protect the New Jersey and New York forest products markets from the devastating consequences of illegitimate foreign timber.
The Port of Newark handles imports of various wood products, including softwood lumber, plywood, fiberboard, and other wooden articles sourced from multiple countries.
Poverty, limited job opportunities, and ecological challenges drive people—especially youth—to leave their communities. Migration strains families, economies, and ecosystems. To help mitigate these pressures, USFS IPT partners to strengthen local livelihoods, build resilience, and foster stewardship of natural resources.
USFS IPT and partners deliver job training and Youth Conservation Corps programs around the world that cultivate leadership at the local level, encouraging youth and adults to remain in their communities as stewards of economic development and resilience.
