In Baltimore, the city has a unique approach to handling fallen trees. Instead of sending them to landfills, they are taken to a recycling facility named Camp Small. This facility transforms old wood into items like furniture and flooring, generating revenue for the city and offering a model for others. Shaun Preston, who manages Camp Small, credits significant operational research support from the U.S. Forest Service’s Baltimore office for their success. He explained that the Forest Service has been instrumental in developing and expanding the program.
The U.S. Forest Service employs over 1,000 staff across numerous Research and Development facilities nationwide. These employees work on diverse projects, from restoring native trees in Hawaii to wildfire prevention in Montana, often partnering with local entities like Camp Small. The service’s research network is the largest in the world. However, a recent announcement proposed closing many research facilities, including Baltimore’s, affecting over 100 locations.
On March 31, plans for a significant reorganization were unveiled. Days later, President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget proposed nearly eliminating funding for Forest Service research. Chief Schulz of the Forest Service defended the reorganization as a move towards greater fiscal responsibility. The plan includes relocating the Forest Service’s headquarters to Salt Lake City and closing all regional offices.
The potential closures impact 229 workers, as mentioned by the Forest Service Council of the National Federation of Federal Employees. The Forest Service has stated that the move is not intended to force resignations. Instead, employees in closing facilities might relocate to a central location in Colorado. Yet, many facilities are cost-effective to maintain; some are government-owned or leased for nominal fees.
“In my laboratory, we own the land and buildings outright, making us a great deal,” stated Dr. Paul Hessburg, a researcher in Washington state.
The cost of maintaining facilities like roads, trails, and bridges far exceeds building maintenance expenses. Employees fear that closing research sites could exacerbate costs and disrupt operations. For example, relocating operations to Fort Collins, Colorado, could incur significant additional expenses.
The relationships fostered between federal scientists and local partners are invaluable. Dr. Morgan Grove, who supported Camp Small before retiring, stresses the importance of local collaboration. Moving research operations could jeopardize projects and impair community connections.
Many current scientists, particularly those involved in hyper-local research, oppose the move. Essential programs like the Forestry Inventory Analysis, which assess forest conditions, could experience increased costs and reduced efficiency.
The union representing Forest Service workers argues the proposed reorganization may violate a law requiring committee approval for fund reprogramming. The union is currently negotiating with leadership to address these concerns.
Researchers believe that closing these facilities could compromise the agency’s long-standing scientific legacy. The potential loss of talent, combined with budget cuts, could degrade the Forest Service’s capacity to manage public lands effectively.
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