The landscape of America’s public lands is undergoing its most radical transformation in decades. Following significant restructuring under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is facing a proposed budget reduction of 65–67%. This “sweeping restructuring” aims to decentralize the agency, but the immediate ripples are being felt from the backwoods of the Appalachian Trail to the iconic vistas of Yosemite.
Below is an overview of what these changes mean for conservation, safety, and your next outdoor adventure. View the Full Report Here
A Workforce in Retreat: Staffing and Structural Shifts
The most visible impact of the restructuring is the rapid reduction in personnel and regional presence:
Mass Layoffs: Between 2024 and early 2026, the USFS lost nearly 8,900 employees, representing over 25% of its total workforce.
Vanishing Wildfire Experts: Included in those losses are roughly 1,400 wildfire-certified personnel, a shift that critics argue creates a national security risk regarding catastrophic fires.
Regional Erasure: All nine regional offices have been eliminated, replaced by a state-based model where 15 state directors report to political appointees.
HQ Relocation: The national headquarters is moving from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah, a move many claim is intended to trigger “relocation-based” resignations among senior staff.
Science Under Siege: Research Facility Closures
The administration is shuttering 75% of the agency’s research facilities—57 out of 77 labs nationwide. In Washington state, for example, both the Wenatchee Forestry Sciences Laboratory and the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory in Seattle are slated for closure. These closures jeopardize long-term studies on drought, forest resilience, and fire behavior.
Impact on National Parks: The “Interagency” Crisis
While the USFS and National Park Service (NPS) are separate entities, they share resources for firefighting, law enforcement, and trail maintenance. The depletion of these shared resources has led to measurable declines in park services:
| Park | Recorded Impact (2025–2026) |
| Yosemite | Loss of essential staff (including its only locksmith) forced the closure of five campgrounds. |
| Zion | A 25% staffing reduction has hindered water quality testing and emergency response. |
| Grand Canyon | Reduced maintenance and the suspension of zoonotic disease monitoring (e.g., plague and rabies). |
| Glacier | Transitioned to an “honor system” with QR codes for fee collection due to lack of booth staff. |
The Economic Toll and Visitor Hesitancy
The decline in services is translating directly into lower tourism numbers. National park visitation dropped by nearly 9 million visitors in 2025.
Economic Risk: Brands like Patagonia, REI, and Columbia Sportswear warn that these cuts threaten the $23 billion economic output generated by forest recreation.
Service Declines: Trail maintenance has hit a 15-year low, declining by 22%.
International Reaction: High entry fees and organized boycotts from Canadian travelers have further dampened international tourism.
The Resistance: Who is Fighting Back?
A diverse coalition is currently challenging these mandates through lawsuits and legislative pressure:
Labor and Advocacy: The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) and the SaveUSFS.org coalition (launched by Our Parks/altNPS) are leading the charge.
Legislative Leaders: Senators such as Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) have organized formal opposition to the reorganization. In Alaska, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) has broken ranks with her party to vote against budget resolutions that remove critical oversight.
State-Level Pushback: The Alaska State Legislature officially labeled the cuts “reckless,” noting that the state cannot financially fill the gaps left by the withdrawal of federal services.
Stay informed. Plan ahead for reduced services in 2026, and consider making your voice heard through active public comment periods.
