Save Our Forests Act Aims to Boost Forest Service Staffing, Continue Key Projects Using Existing Funds

The "Save Our Forests Act of 2025" sets out to strengthen the U.S. Forest Service. Its main goals, outlined in Section 3, are to increase the number of agency staff using already available money and bring back employees who were let go between January 20 and February 25, 2025. The stated purpose is to better manage and maintain the health and productivity of the National Forest System – that's the network of national forests and grasslands managed by the agency.

More Hands for Healthier Forests

So, what does boosting staff actually mean on the ground? Section 3 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to beef up the Forest Service workforce. Think more folks available for tasks essential to keeping our forests healthy and accessible – things like managing vegetation to reduce wildfire risk, maintaining hiking trails and campgrounds, conducting research, and overseeing timber programs sustainably. The idea is that with adequate staffing, the agency can better tackle the complex job of managing these vast public lands, which benefits everyone who enjoys them or relies on their resources.

Keeping Good Work Going

Beyond staffing, Section 4 gives a green light to keep important projects running. It specifically allows the Secretary to continue work that was already approved and funded under major laws like the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, the Great American Outdoors Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This means initiatives focused on things like improving recreation facilities, restoring ecosystems, or fixing up forest roads and infrastructure won't get stalled due to uncertainty. It ensures that investments Congress already decided to make in our public lands can proceed as planned.