To our Guild community,

The US Forest Service has announced a major reorganization which will impact stewardship across the country and even the world. USFS will move its headquarters to Salt Lake City, Utah and replace regional offices with 15 state directors to oversee USFS operations within one or more states.

USFS Chief Tom Schultz said “This is about building a Forest Service that is nimble, efficient, effective and closer to the forests and communities it serves.”

Work at the individual National Forest or Ranger District level will be less impacted by the reorganization, however subject matter experts and professionals at regional offices, in Washington D.C., and in other critical roles face an uncertain future. The reorganization is causing concern about the agency’s connection to important intragovernmental cooperation and budget processes in Washington, DC. The reorganization will also close USFS research stations which could undermine critical science.

Support offered from the Guild to USFS employees

A reorganization of this magnitude will leave some folks dislocated and adrift, so the Guild is inviting anyone from US Forest Service to join the Guild as a professional member for free through June 2027. If you’d like to join our community of innovative, enthusiastic forest stewards, please fill out the professional member form and you can use the code ‘Uplift’ to waive dues through June 2027.

More on this development:

Forest Service overhaul sows confusion, concern – High Country News

US Forest Service to move headquarters from Washington DC to Salt Lake City – The Guardian