June 29, 5:30 PM -- US Forest Service Reorganization, 2026: What does it mean for New Hampshire & New England?

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Upcoming Events

US Forest Service Reorganization, 2026:

What does it mean for New Hampshire & New England?

June 29, 5:30 PM on Zoom

Guest speakers:

Dr. David King (UMass Amherst)
Dr. Mariko Yamasaki (US Forest Service, UNH
Joe Short (Northern Forest Center

Preliminary information:

On March 31 this year, a major federal-level US Forest Service reorganization was announced. Many details are still unavailable, but there’s little doubt that this will have substantial impacts on forest research & management across the nation, as well as on individual USFS employees.

Here we take a closer look at how the sweeping changes could affect the state of NH and its forests, as well as those of New England and the Northeast more broadly. There are many unknowns:

Previously announced closures of experimental forests are currently being reconsidered.
How will the switch from being organized into the traditional 9 regional headquarters to 15 state-based directorships affect New England?
Is there a risk that top administrative positions could be filled through political appointments?
Could moving the national headquarters out of Washington, DC, weaken it overall?
How reasonable can it be to separate wildfire fighting functions from forest management and move them into the Dept. of the Interior?

We will address these and other issues as best we can at this date. Bring your questions – your knowledge – and participate in the conversation!

Registration

✔ Recent Past Events and Recordings

✔ NH Network WEBINAR:

Is Nuclear Energy the Right Path for NH?

Searching for a Nuclear Roadmap…

June 22nd, 2026

On March 26 this year, Gov Ayotte issued an Executive Order (EO-2026-01) decreeing that “the Department of Energy shall prepare a nuclear roadmap for New Hampshire that identifies the steps, milestones, and resources needed to attract, develop, and deploy nuclear generation in New Hampshire…”

NH Network’s informational webinar on Monday, June 22 at 5:30 PM focussed on

advanced (“next generation”) nuclear energy.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
the implications of expanding nuclear energy in NH and New England.

Expert guest speakers will include

Dr Ed Lyman of the Union of Concerned Scientists
Rep. Kat McGhee
Doug Boden

✔ New England's Offshore Wind Solution - USC Report Review

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

A review of the recent report, New England's Offshore Wind Solution, released by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The report details how offshore wind energy off the coast of New England can significantly enhance the reliability and affordability of the region’s electric grid, particularly in winter.

Special Guest: Susan Muller, Senior Energy Analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists (report author)

The offshore wind stop-work orders issued in December of 2025 by the US Department of the Interior have been reversed by the courts, and offshore wind resources are helping meet the increased energy demand on the New England grid.

Event Resources

✔ Unwrap the Future IV

The Power of Policy - A New Plastic Paradigm

Monday, February 9th, 2026

Hear from extraordinary leaders who have created the opportunities, the infrastructure, and the local and state policies to address plastic pollution and waste. They are also exposing the presence of toxins in food packaging plastics, giving new options to local restaurants, engaging youth in schools, and helping us say “No” to plastics and waste.