The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) are pleased to congratulate Randy Moore on his appointment as Chief of the USDA Forest Service by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
Randy Moore brings over 40 years of conservation experience and leadership to the appointment. His Forest Service experience includes service in multiple regions, and assignments as acting associate deputy chief for the National Forest System and as national deputy Soils Program manager in Washington, D.C. Mr. Moore will also take a unique place in Forest Service history as the first African American to hold the role of Chief of the Forest Service.
Randy Moore has been the Regional Forester in the Pacific Southwest Region in California since 2007, where he has responsibility for 18 National Forests covering one-fifth of the state on 20 million acres of land. Additionally, he oversees State and Private Forestry programs in Hawaii and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands. He previously served as Regional Forester in the Eastern Region (Region 9) starting in 2002. He led Region 9 to successfully complete Forest Plan Revisions within an unprecedented two-year timeframe.
“The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society congratulate Mr. Moore on his historic and well-deserved appointment to lead the U.S. Forest Service,” said Brent Rudolph, Chief Conservation and Legislative Officer. “His work in the West provides important experience to direct efforts to stem the growth of catastrophic wildfires. His prior leadership on Forest Plan Revisions will bring great appreciation for the role of National Forests in providing wildlife habitat, and supporting the industries, recreational users, and communities that are important partners in and beneficiaries of scientifically sound forest management.”
Randy shared these thoughts as he prepares to step into his new role: “I am humbled to be selected as Chief of the USDA Forest Service, and I look forward to continuing our path into the future with our employees and the citizens we serve. We have much work to do as we contribute to our nation’s most pressing challenges: tackling climate change, advancing racial equity and helping the people we serve recover and heal from the global pandemic, in part through connection with our treasured public lands.”
Moore will assume leadership of the Forest Service following Chief Vicki Christiansen’s retirement on July 26. Read more about him here.
Randy Moore has been serving as regional forester in the Pacific Southwest Region in California since 2007, where he has responsibility for 18 national forests covering one-fifth of the state on 20 million acres of land. Additionally, he oversees State and Private Forestry programs in Hawaii and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands.
Previously, Randy served as the regional forester for the Eastern Region, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for five years.
Randy started his career in conservation in 1978 with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in North Dakota. His Forest Service career began on the Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado and the Comanche and Cimarron National Grasslands in Kansas. He served as deputy forest supervisor on the National Forests in North Carolina and the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri before serving as forest supervisor of the Mark Twain National Forest. Randy also has national-level experience in Washington, D.C., serving as acting Associate Deputy Chief for the National Forest System and the as National Deputy Soils Program manager.
Randy earned a bachelor’s degree in plant and soil science from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He and his wife Antoinette have two sons, a daughter-in-law and two grandsons.
RGS & AWS unite conservationists to improve wildlife habitat and forest health. Since 1961, RGS has promoted stewardship for our forests, our wildlife, and our future. Our vision is to create landscapes of diverse, functioning forest ecosystems that provide homes for wildlife and opportunities for people to experience them.
