US Forest Service to Close Research Facilities

The U.S. Forest Service is undergoing a proposed reorganization that could lead to the closure of more than 100 research facilities across the country. This initiative stems from a recent announcement of agency restructuring and a proposed 2027 budget that allocates zero funds for Forest Service research, a drastic decrease from $309 million in 2026. The agency cites a need for fiscal responsibility and bringing employees closer to the land they manage.

However, current and former researchers express significant concerns. They argue that many of these facilities are already cost-effective, with some operating out of government-owned buildings or leased properties with minimal rent. The proposed consolidation of staff into a single building in Colorado, which would incur substantial rent costs, is also being questioned. Scientists emphasize that their research is often hyperlocal and tied to specific locations, making relocation impractical and risking the loss of irreplaceable data sets.

Key projects, such as studying white oak regeneration in Baltimore and restoring native trees in Hawaii, are at risk of disruption. The agency's Forestry Inventory Analysis program, mandated by Congress, is also affected, with a third of its staff working in facilities slated for closure. Many scientists have stated they would resign if forced to relocate, a move that could cripple the Forest Service's extensive research network and its ability to support national forest management and community well-being.