The U.S. Forest Service is one of the seventeen agencies in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The U.S. Forest Service mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Under this mission, Forest Products research in the U.S. Forest Service provides the science and technology to support agency priorities, such as forest restoration, and bring value to U.S. landowners. Our research program consists of solid wood utilization, wood fiber utilization, the utilization of renewable polymers, chemicals from wood, and manufacturing of products from wood. U.S. Forest Service renewable materials research also supports several U.S. National initiatives and priorities. The U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is the world’s leading national nanotechnology initiative. U.S. Forest Service is the leader in U.S. cellulose nanomaterials research. Cellulose-based and carbon-based nanomaterials are two current focus points of the U.S. NNI. The USDA is a member of the U.S. Biomass R&D Board. As such, the Forest Servicer biorefinery R&D directly contributes to our Nation’s energy security goals. Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013. This legislation would create a network of regional institutes across the country, each focused on a unique technology, material, or process relevant to advanced manufacturing. Forest Service R&D is examining this opportunity in support Congressional, Presidential, Departmental and Agency goals. Green building is an area supported by USDA and the Forest Service. U.S. Forest Service R&D will continue to pursue opportunities in green building research. Our future will be a biobased society. Renewable materials from the forest will play a major role in citizens’ life – from the clothes they wear, to the food they eat, to the transportation equipment they use, to the fuels, the electronics, the furniture and housing they rely on. When a citizen needs to relax and recharge, the entire family will recreate in a forest. The human society will always rely on the forest to provide us with resources that are essential to our living. U.S. Forest Service R&D will continue to conduct renewable materials research to provide the science and technology in support of our Nation and agency mission of sustaining the health and productivity of U.S. forests.

Renewable materials research in the U.S. Forest Service: A perspective

249th National Meeting (2015)

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