Forest Society Participates in Congressional Roundtable on U.S. Forest Service Reorganization

April 24, 2026
Tags:
Advocacy,
Forestry,
Working Forests,
Land Conservation
Jeanne Shaheen roundtable

The Forest Society recently participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan to examine the U.S. Forest Service’s proposed reorganization.

This proposal has raised significant concerns among stakeholders connected to the White Mountain National Forest and those who support New Hampshire’s forest-based economy. During the discussion, several key issues emerged:

  • Dismantling Research Capacity: The proposal includes closing 57 of 77 research stations nationwide, including the Bartlett Experimental Forest, while leaving uncertainty around the future of the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest.
  • Loss of Scientific Expertise: Participants raised concerns about whether restructuring could lead to the departure of experienced staff and a weakening of the agency’s scientific foundation.
  • Impacts to State & Private Forestry Programs: These programs provide critical support to state agencies and private landowners. Questions remain about whether New Hampshire could see reduced funding or weakened federal-state partnerships.
  • Public Trust: While harder to quantify, there is concern that centralizing decisions at the national level could erode public confidence in how forest management decisions are made.

Following the roundtable, the Forest Society and partner organizations submitted a joint letter to Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz outlining these concerns.

We are fortunate that New Hampshire’s congressional delegation has made this issue a priority. We encourage our members and supporters to thank them for their leadership and to stay engaged as this proposal evolves.

We also encourage individuals to share their perspectives directly with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Forest Service leadership. Thoughtful public input plays an important role in shaping decisions that affect our forests, our communities, and our economy. We would also suggest sending a copy of your email to Senator Shaheen’s staffer Anna Ricci (anna_ricci@shaheen.senate.gov) who will consolidate all the emails and share them with the entire New Hampshire Congressional delegation.