Forest Service Proposes Closing Dozens of Research Stations

Foresters fear the move could threaten wildfire readiness and erode decades of scientific work.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:35pm

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A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones depicting the interconnected natural forces and cycles of a forest ecosystem, conveying the structural order and complexity of forest ecology without using any text or symbols.The proposed closure of Forest Service research stations threatens to disrupt decades of scientific work that informs critical forest management decisions.Fort Collins Today

The U.S. Forest Service has announced plans to close 57 of its 77 research stations across 31 states, merging them into a single organization in Fort Collins, Colorado. The agency says the move is to consolidate and unify research priorities, but many foresters fear it will threaten vital research on fire behavior, smoke dispersal, and other crucial forest management areas.

Why it matters

The Forest Service's research arm is considered a global leader in studying issues like timber production, soil health, pests and diseases, watersheds, and wildlife. Closing these stations could erode decades of scientific work that state agencies, timber companies, and tribes rely on for forest management decisions, especially as the country faces another dangerous wildfire season.

The details

The Forest Service says the closures are part of a larger agency reorganization to reduce its real estate footprint, citing a shrinking facilities budget from Congress. However, many foresters worry the move will lead to the loss of specialized expertise and ongoing research projects that have been diligently studied for decades. For example, the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory in the Northwest plays a crucial role in issuing wildfire smoke forecasts, while the Southern Institute of Forest Genetics in Mississippi has guided tree improvement programs.

  • Last month, the Forest Service announced plans to close the research stations.
  • The agency expects to move roughly 5,000 employees to new outposts as part of the reorganization.

The players

U.S. Forest Service

A federal agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture that manages and protects national forests and grasslands.

Mike Dombeck

Former chief of the U.S. Forest Service under President Bill Clinton and a vocal conservation advocate.

George Geissler

Washington State Forester who is concerned about the potential loss of practical-based research used for fire and forest management.

Kevin Hood

Executive director of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics, a nonprofit that advocates for agency workers.

Tom Schultz

Chief of the U.S. Forest Service who said the reorganization is designed to ensure the agency's research aligns with the priorities of the current administration.

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What they’re saying

“The research arm of the Forest Service is one of the unsung heroes in forest management around the world.”

— Mike Dombeck, Former Forest Service Chief

“The station in Seattle does some of the most practical-based research that we use for fire and forest management. We don't want to lose that work.”

— George Geissler, Washington State Forester

“This is research that's been going on for decades or even a century or more. They're able to see how climate change impacts are playing out in a dry ponderosa forest or a humid hardwood forest. There are research plots and experimental forests that have been diligently studied for decades. This could be a loss of a lot of knowledge.”

— Kevin Hood, Executive Director, Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics

“It's not streamlining, it's dismantling. It's going to really impact how the Forest Service makes decisions on the ground. The way the Trump administration is trying to make a lot of decisions is gut feelings.”

— Chandra Rosenthal, Western Lands and Rocky Mountain Advocate, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility

“There's concern that we're going to see a lot of really good individuals who cannot uproot their families that we'll lose. It's taken a long time to develop that kind of expertise. It's scary.”

— George Geissler, Washington State Forester

What’s next

The Forest Service has not provided details on how the transition will play out or whether existing research will continue at the consolidated facility in Fort Collins. State officials say they are waiting for more information on the agency's plans.

The takeaway

The proposed closure of dozens of Forest Service research stations raises serious concerns about the potential loss of critical scientific expertise and long-term data that informs forest management decisions, especially as the country braces for another dangerous wildfire season. While the agency says the move is about consolidation, not cuts, many foresters fear it will undermine the Forest Service's role as a global leader in research on issues like fire behavior, timber production, and ecosystem health.