Administers the national forest system. Promotes conservation and use of national forests and grasslands. Conducts forest and range research. Assists and cooperates with administrators of state and private forests. Supervised forest and range conservation work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, 1933-42. Administered war-related programs, 1942-45. Administered, 1934-42, the Prairie States Forestry ("Shelterbelt") Project, established under the Emergency Appropriation Act (48 Stat. 1021), June 19, 1934. "Shelterbelt" Project transferred to Soil Conservation Service, effective July 1, 1942, by Secretary's memorandum, June 30, 1942.