The Tongass National Forest is by far the largest National Forest in the United States. The Service was a key participant in the development of the 1997 Revised Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan (TLMP), and its progressive conservation strategy. This strategy was designed to ensure healthy populations of all native species in the Tongass and preclude the need for Endangered Species Act listings in Southeast Alaska. Our Tongass Monitoring Program works with the U.S. Forest Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and a variety of other partners to ensure that fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats on the Tongass are adequately protected by TLMP.

We assess the conservation status of species and populations that live in the Tongass. We also investigate the ecological impacts of forest management practices such as clearcutting, selective cutting, thinning, and road building. Our primary goal is early detection of threats to species and populations. We draw upon the best available science to help the Forest Service improve forest management policies so that threats are alleviated before the viability of any species becomes compromised.

Some of our projects include: