Forest Vegetation Simulator

FVS Quick Start Guide & PowerPoint:
Click Here to View/Download the FVS Quick Start Guide PDF File. Attendees will need the Quick Start Guide printed out, stapled, and on hand for the event.

Click Here to View/Download the FVS PowerPoint (USING FOREST VEGETATION PREDICTION MODELS TO INFORM DECISIONS) as a PDF File. The original PowerPoint will also be available via the NASP BOX folder.

  1. Load the FVS software onto your laptop. Forest Service can get it from the software library and all others can download from this website: Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) Software, Complete Package (usda.gov).
  2. Bring some local data you are familiar with in FVS format. Forest Service should pull their stand exam data from FSVEG. If you are unfamiliar with this process, FSVEG has instructions or you can watch a “how to” video showing the process on this page: Forest Vegetation Simulator Training Videos (usda.gov). Select the second video in the list titled, “How to Create a FVS input file from Forest Service Common Stand Exam (FSVEG) data”.
  3. If you have never used FVS or have never used the “new interface”, please go through the “Getting Started” video to become more familiar with FVS (first video listed on our self-paced training page): Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) Self-Paced Training (usda.gov).

Videos are best viewed using Google Chrome or FireFox web browsers.

Get Started