Forest Service Chief Randy Moore has announced his retirement, effective March 3, in an email sent to agency staff. The recent weeks have been tumultuous due to the mass layoffs initiated by the Trump administration, resulting in the dismissal of 3,400 Forest Service employees, constituting 10% of the agency's workforce.
Moore expressed the challenges faced by the agency amidst the federal government's transformation, emphasizing the necessity to downsize. Despite the difficult decisions, Moore acknowledged the valuable contributions of departing colleagues and their impact on the agency's mission.
Transition to New Leadership
Having overseen the management of 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands since 2021, Moore leaves behind a 45-year career with the Forest Service. As the first African American to hold the position of chief, Moore succeeded Vicki Christiansen during President Trump's tenure, who warned of potential risks to wildfire prevention efforts in the West due to government cuts.
Moore praised the staff for their essential role in community protection, business support, water provision, and energy permit issuance, highlighting the significance of their work in upholding the American way of life.
Career Highlights
Prior to his role as chief, Moore served as the regional forester for the Pacific Southwest region in California, where he managed 18 national forests. He also held the position of regional forester for the Eastern region based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His career commenced in conservation in 1978 with the Agriculture Department's Natural Resources Conservation Service in North Dakota.
The transition in leadership comes alongside President Trump's nomination of Michael Boren, an Idaho investment consultant and GOP donor, for the position of USDA's undersecretary for natural resources and environment. This nomination, subject to Senate confirmation, includes oversight of the Forest Service.
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