4 A NATIONAL PLAN FOE AMERICAN FORESTRY 



NATIONAL PARKS 



The Federal contribution to American forest land use has also 

 included the creation and administration of the national parks. 

 Their 4% million acres of forest enhance many of the finest and most 

 unique scenic areas in the United States. 



Although their primary service is inspirational and the commercial 

 utilization of timber and forage is not permitted, much of the national 

 park forest affords valuable watershed protection. 



Within their own specialized field of land use the national parks 

 have pioneered and have developed highly intensive plans and man- 

 agement and a personnel for this specialized work. The Yellowstone, 

 established in 1872, was the earliest venture of this kind. 



THE INDIAN FORESTS 



Paralleling the national forest concept of public administration of 

 forest land in the general public interest is the Federal administration 

 of the Indian forests for the Indian wards of the Government. Indian 

 reservations include about 1% million acres of commercial forest land. 



Detailed sustained-yield-timber-management plans are in effect on 

 about 5 million acres, and all timber is being cut in compliance with 

 sound silvicultural principles. General range management plans have 

 been prepared for 12 and fairly intensive plans for 8)2 million acres, 

 and the administration of range use is being rapidly perfected. Fire- 

 protection standards are being raised, and the protection of water- 

 sheds is gradually improving. 



FEDERAL AID 



In addition to the administration of nationally owned and Indian 

 lands the Federal contribution to American forestry takes the form 

 of financial aid to the States and private owners of forest land. 



The national interest in making forest land productive would in 

 itself justify such aid, but it is also an effort to stimulate both State 

 and private effort. 



An annual contribution of about $1,575,000 for fire protection in 

 1932 is now helping to make possible the protection of nearly 230 

 million acres in 40 States and the reduction of the area burned to 

 less than 2 percent annually, in contrast with nearly 20 percent on 

 unprotected lands. 



About $80,000 aids in the annual distribution of 25 million forest 

 tree seedlings at low cost in 38 States; about $70,000 in the assistance 

 of nearly 10,000 farmers in woodland management. Annual appro- 

 priations and the income from land -grant endowments totaling about 

 $3,500,000 aid in the support of colleges of agriculture in nearly 40 

 States, in 16 of which instruction in forestry leading to a degree is 

 given. Only a small part of an annual contribution of $4,320,000 to 

 State agricultural experiment stations is used for forest research, but 

 may help to release a larger sum of State appropriations for this 

 purpose. 



Large Federal land grants to the States, although not so intended, 

 have been the foundation for Western State forests and in part those 

 of the Lake States. 



