WASHINGTON, D.C.—As part of National Volunteer Month, Deputy Chief Chris French recognized volunteers for their service to the agency.

Volunteers make a big impact on our national forests and grasslands and represent the best of our mission to care for the land and serve people. Their selflessness and unwavering commitment inspire and motivate our workforce and directly help millions of visitors have safe, meaningful experiences recreating on our national forest and grasslands every year.

No job is too small or too large for our exceptional volunteers, and they tackle those jobs with enthusiasm. Last year, 71,000 people volunteered for the Forest Service on sites across the country, contributing over 2.6 million service hours.

Watch the video below to learn about the critical contributions made by our volunteers, work that enables our field units and many other volunteer coordinators to create volunteer-centered, community-based initiatives that make a real difference in people's lives and their communities.

Together, we continue to make the world around us a better place.