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Forest Health

Forest health has been defined by the production of forest conditions which directly satisfy human needs and by resilience, recurrence, persistence, and biophysical processes which lead to sustainable ecological conditions.

The health of national forests and grasslands is paramount to our mission of caring for the land and serving people. The Forest Service works to maintain, enhance, and restore healthy forest conditions on the national forests and grasslands.

Southwestern Region Forest Health

Field Guide to Insects and Diseases

Learn about flora and fauna in the Southwest, including threats to forest health like the bark beetles, Douglas-fir tussock moths, mistletoes, root diseases, and white pine blister rust. 

A description for each insect and disease includes hosts, damage, symptoms, biology, and effects or impacts.

Field Guide

2024 SW Forest Health Damage Map

The 2024 Forest Health Damage Map shares a draft map data as forest health surveys are completed.

2024 Damage Map

Last updated April 16th, 2025