National Forests in Florida

The National Forests in Florida manage more than 1.2 million acres throughout the state with a $25 million dollar annual budget and less than 200 employees statewide. Of that 1.2 million acres, more than half a million are wetlands. Over 75,000 acres are designated Federal wilderness areas with no roads and no access permitted except on foot. Our forests contain more than 3,000 documented archaeological sites and nearly 60 historic sites. We monitor 145 plant species and 51 animal species that are either threatened or endangered. We oversee more than 1,200 miles of recreational trails and 65 developed recreation sites that see more than 2.7 million visitors every year.

The National Forests in Florida is part of the USDA Forest Service which is a multi-faceted agency that manages and protects 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 44 states and Puerto Rico. The agency’s 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. Here in Florida we have three National Forests, the Apalachicola, Osceola and Ocala.