MAINE (ORONO) CAMPUS • February 24, 2025
The United States Forest Service (USFS) is terminating approximately 3,400 employees. Rose Ambroff, Assistant Professor of Forest Soils at the University of Maine, addressed concerns about how these layoffs could affect forest management nationwide and what they mean for Maine’s forestry industry and conservation efforts. “Terminating thousands of USFS employees will negatively impact the health of our forests and the livelihoods that depend on them. Federal funding for forestry research is such a large proportion of available funding that it will be difficult to replace.” The reduction in workforce creates uncertainty for UMaine students, particularly those studying forestry, as they face questions about their future career prospects.