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The research and development (R&D) arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, works at the forefront of science to improve the health and use of our Nation’s forests and grasslands. Research has been part of the Forest Service mission since the agency’s inception in 1905. Today, some 500-plus Forest Service researchers work in a range of biological, physical, and social science fields to promote sustainable management of the Nation’s diverse forests and rangelands. Their research covers a lot of territory, with programs in all 50 States, U.S. territories, and commonwealths. The work has a steady focus on informing policy and land-management decisions, whether it addresses invasive insects, degraded river ecosystems, or sustainable ways to harvest forest products. The researchers work independently and with a range of partners, including other agencies, academia, nonprofit groups, and industry. The information and technology produced through basic and applied science programs is available to the public for its benefit and use. Forest Service R&D organizes research under seven Strategic Program Areas (SPAs), which support an integrated approach to the study of broad, complex environmental and social issues. Within this structure, researchers address the Forest Service strategic goals and objectives at the watershed, landscape, regional, and national levels to focus research on the large-scale problems of national concern identified in the USDA Forest Service Strategic Plan: FY 2007–2012. SPAs provide consistent and stable, nationally strategic subdivisions of the national Forest Service research program for purposes of program development; management of review and oversight; communication to national audiences, including national interest organizations, the Administration, Congress, and the general public; budget formulation and presentation; and integration and collaboration among research stations and between stations and external partners.(source introduction)