# Randy Moore (forester) > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Randy_Moore_(forester) > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Randy_Moore_(forester).md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Moore_(forester) > Source revision: 1335292198 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) American soil scientist and forester Randy Moore 20th Chief of the United States Forest Service In office 26 July 2021 – 3 March 2025 President Joe Biden Donald Trump Preceded by Vicki Christiansen Succeeded by Tom Schultz Personal details Education Southern University (BS) **Randy Moore** is an American [soil scientist](/source/Soil_science) and [forester](/source/Forester) who had served as the 20th [chief of the United States Forest Service](/source/Chief_of_the_United_States_Forest_Service). He was appointed by Secretary [Tom Vilsack](/source/Tom_Vilsack).[1] ## Education Moore earned a Bachelor of Science degree in plant and [soil science](/source/Soil_science) from [Southern University](/source/Southern_University).[2] ## Career Moore began his career 1978 with the [Natural Resources Conservation Service](/source/Natural_Resources_Conservation_Service) in [North Dakota](/source/North_Dakota).[3] He eventually joined the [United States Forest Service](/source/United_States_Forest_Service) in 1981. He has held various positions in the agency, including regional forester for the Eastern Region in [Wisconsin](/source/Wisconsin) and forest supervisor for [Mark Twain National Forest](/source/Mark_Twain_National_Forest) in [Missouri](/source/Missouri). Moore served as the Pacific Southwestern regional forester, managing 18 national forests in [California](/source/California) spanning 20 million acres, as well as state and private forestry programs in [Hawaii](/source/Hawaii) and the Pacific Islands.[4] Moore has been an advocate for utilizing vegetation treatment methods to reduce the risk of [wildfire](/source/Wildfire), rather than relying solely on [logging](/source/Logging). He believes that this approach can effectively decrease wildfire risk while preserving the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the forest. In addition to his advocacy of vegetation treatment, Moore has also focused on improving the pay and working conditions for firefighters, as well as increasing capacity and resources through partnerships with other agencies and organizations.[5] He announced his retirement in February 2025, effective March 3.[6][7][8] In March 2024, Moore published a public message reflecting on his service and leadership challenges during his tenure as Chief of the U.S. Forest Service.["A Note of Reflection from Chief Randy Moore"](https://www.fs.usda.gov/inside-fs/leadership/note-reflection). U.S. Forest Service. March 1, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2025. ## See also - [List of United States Forest Service Chiefs](/source/History_of_the_United_States_Forest_Service#List_of_Forest_Service_chiefs) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Testimony of Randy Moore, Chief, U.S. Forest Service, before the House Committee on Agriculture"](https://www.congress.gov/118/meeting/house/115942/witnesses/HHRG-118-AG15-Bio-MooreR-20230516.pdf) (PDF). U.S. House of Representatives. May 16, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Randy Moore"](https://foresthistory.org/research-explore/us-forest-service-history/people/chiefs/randy-moore/). *Forest History Society*. Retrieved January 29, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Harlan, Will (July 30, 2021). ["The First Black U.S. Forest Service Chief"](https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/magazine/august-2021/the-first-black-u-s-forest-service-chief/). *Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine*. Retrieved January 29, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Leadership Biographies"](https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/newsroom/leadership-biographies). US Forest Service. February 1, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Forest Service Chief Randy Moore Says Increased Payments for Firefighters Has Been Achieved"](https://mybighornbasin.com/forest-service-chief-randy-moore-says-increased-payments-for-firefighters-has-been-achieved/). Big Horn Basin Media. June 22, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Mellen, Ruby (February 26, 2025). ["'You are not alone': U.S. Forest Service chief's blunt goodbye message to workers"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/02/26/forest-service-firings-doge/). *Washington Post*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Forest Service chief to retire amid restructuring"](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/26/forest-service-chief-retire-00206204). Politico. February 26, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Kreps, Daniel (February 26, 2025). ["U.S. Forest Service Chief Retires Amid Layoffs, Tells Workers: 'You Are Not Alone'"](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/us-forest-service-chief-retires-doge-layoffs-letter-1235281480/). *Rolling Stone*. Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Randy Moore](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Randy_Moore). Political offices Preceded by Vicki Christiansen Chief of the United States Forest Service 2021–2025 Succeeded by Tom Schultz --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Randy Moore (forester)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Moore_(forester)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Moore_(forester)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.