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In a controversial move, the Trump administration is poised to restructure the US Forest Service, leading to the closure of all regional offices that oversee a staggering 193 million acres of public land. Union leaders are sounding the alarm, warning that the sweeping changes could destabilise public lands management and force dedicated employees to either relocate or resign, jeopardising crucial environmental work.
A Dramatic Shift in Land Management
On 30 March 2026, the Trump administration unveiled plans that will see the agency’s headquarters shift from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah. In addition, 57 research facilities will be consolidated into a single location in Colorado, effectively dissolving the regional offices that have been vital in managing and protecting the nation’s forests. This reorganisation is set to impact nearly 20,000 employees represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), who argue that the changes are not only disruptive but potentially illegal.
Steve Lenkart, the NFFE’s executive director, asserted, “Trump’s moves are illegal, because this kind of activity was explicitly prohibited in fiscal year 2026 appropriations.” According to Lenkart, the budget explicitly forbids using funds for relocating offices or employees, a violation he claims the Republican-controlled Congress is tacitly endorsing. “They won’t even uphold their own oaths to support and defend the constitution from tyranny,” he added.
Implications for Employees and Environmental Safeguards
The restructuring has sparked significant concern among employees. Randy Erwin, the union’s national president, stated, “The Trump administration cannot dress up a mass workforce disruption as commonsense management.” He emphasised that uprooting the workforce and dismantling the existing structure represents chaos rather than reform. Former US Forest Service firefighter Steven Gutierrez echoed these sentiments, noting the emotional toll on employees faced with the stark choice of uprooting their lives or resigning from their positions.
The urgent work performed by the Forest Service—including vital research on fire safety and the development of advanced safety equipment—is now at risk. Gutierrez explained, “You don’t strengthen the Forest Service by pushing experienced public servants out the door. You’re not doing any favours to the public by saying, ‘Pick up your life, move to Salt Lake City, or move to another facility that’s five hours away, and upend your entire life.’”
Decline in Workforce and Wildfire Mitigation
This latest restructuring comes on the heels of significant staffing reductions that have already weakened the Forest Service. An analysis revealed a shocking 38% decline in wildfire mitigation efforts in 2025 compared to the previous four years, coinciding with an internal report that noted a 22% drop in trail maintenance— the lowest level seen in 15 years. Many employees have opted for early retirement or resignation buyouts, leading to a loss of more than a quarter of the agency’s full-time workforce, including 1,400 wildfire-certified personnel.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has defended the restructuring, asserting that the changes will enable better alignment of research priorities and operational efficiency. However, the USDA has not provided specifics regarding the number of employees affected by the relocations or the response to the criticism regarding the legality of the restructuring.
Why it Matters
The restructuring of the US Forest Service under the Trump administration poses a significant threat not only to the livelihoods of thousands of dedicated workers but also to the preservation and management of America’s public lands. As these vital institutions face upheaval, the long-term consequences may include compromised environmental protection efforts and diminished capacity to respond effectively to wildfires and other ecological crises. In a time when climate change is intensifying, now more than ever, we need a robust and well-supported Forest Service to safeguard our natural resources for future generations.
