Forest & Grassland Health

Forest Health Protection in the Northern (Region 1) and Intermountain (Region 4) Regions provides technical and financial assistance for all land ownerships within these regions. We work under the State, Private and Tribal Forestry organization of the USDA Forest Service and are part of the National Forest Health Protection Program. We assist with forest health issues particularly related to forest and range disturbance agents that include native and non-native insects, pathogens, and invasive plants. We primarily assist Federal and tribal land managers directly and cooperate with State Forest Health specialists who assist primarily state, private and tribal land managers.

Our specialists include entomologists, plant pathologists, pesticide specialists, GIS specialists, aerial survey specialists, and biological technicians located in four field offices: Boise, Idaho; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Missoula, Montana; and Ogden, Utah. See map for field office locations and respective service areas.

Technical Assistance

  • Detect, monitor, evaluate, and report potentially damaging forest diseases and insects
  • Site visits, training, workshops, presentations, and publications tailored to meet various audiences
  • Develop effective management strategies for forest insects and diseases
  • Integrate and monitor biological control for invasive weed management
  • Pesticide and pheromone use and coordination
  • Participate in forest planning and implementation efforts

Financial Assistance

  • Insect and disease suppression, prevention and/or restoration projects technology for management of forest insects and diseases and invasive weeds
  • Developing or applying new technology for management of forest insects and diseases and invasive weeds

a map of the R1 FHP service area

 

Forest Health Protection Program Contacts:

  • Missoula Field Office

    Maria Newcomb
    Missoula Group Leader/Plant Pathologist
    Email: maria.newcomb2@usda.gov
    Phone: 406-329-3278

    Address:
    26 Fort Missoula Road
    Missoula, Mt 59804
    (Covers Montana & North Dakota)

  • Coeur d'Alene Field Office

    Gina Davis
    Coeur d'Alene Group Leader/Entomologist
    Email: gina.davis@usda.gov
    Phone: 208-765-7342 3232

    Address:
    West Nursery Road
    Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
    (Covers northern Idaho & Kootenai N.F.)

  • Ogden Field Office

    Kevin Carlin
    Ogden Group Leader/Entomologist
    Email: kevin.carlin@usda.gov
    Phone: 801-625-5162 324
    Main number: 801-476-9720

    Address:
    25th Street
    Ogden, UT 84401
    (Covers Nevada, Utah, & western Wyoming)

  • Boise Field Office

    Carl Jorgensen
    Boise Group Leader/Entomologist
    Email: carl.jorgensen@usda.gov
    Phone: 208-373-4225

    Address:
    1249 S. Vinnell Way, Suite 200
    Boise, ID 83709
    (Covers southern Idaho)

Forest Health Protection Specialty Programs Contacts:

 

Guides, Reports and Brochures

Search for publications by Region 1 and Region 4 Forest Health Protection.

Guides, Reports and Brochures

 

Aerial Insect and Disease Detection Survey Data

The Forest Health Protection Aviation Program conducts annual forest insect and disease detection surveys using aerial sketchmapping techniques across approximately 80 million forested acres of all land ownerships in the Northern and Intermountain Regions. The regional data has slightly more details than the national data sets. For more information on the regional aerial insect and disease program, data and maps select the link below.

Regional Aerial Insect and Disease Detection Data

 

Forest Health Condition Reports and Forest Health Highlights

Forest condition reports are developed in collaboration with state partners and provide updates on the status of major forest pests within the Northern and Intermountain Region by state. A national report, Major Forest Insect and Disease Conditions in the United States, is produced annually.

For more information on forest health conditions in your state, select the links below:

Forest Vegetation Simulator Models

The Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) is a forest growth simulation model. It simulates forest vegetation change in response to natural succession, disturbances, and management.  Forest Health Protection staff can provide add files that are specific to the Northern and Intermountain Regions, training documents and videos, as well as guidance and interpretation assistance of FVS model outputs.

Forest Health Protection (FHP)

Contacts and Links