WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Wednesday, employees joined Associate Chief Coleman and other members of the leadership team for a call that focused on the fiscal year 2024 budget that funds the Forest Service until September, as well as touching on the president's proposed 2025 budget.

Coleman was joined by Budget Director Mark Lichtenstein, Chief Financial Officer Robert Velasco, and deputy chiefs John Crockett, David Lytle, Chris French, Mary Pletcher Rice and Katie O'Connor (acting).

Leadership talked about how the budget affects current agency work, hiring, firefighter pay and job series, and other agency initiatives, such as the commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. They left extensive time to answer questions directly.

Most of the questions centered around hiring going forward, impacts of a reduced budget, and how those reductions impact employees and their work. Agency leaders continue to work with USDA on a strategic hiring assessment to ensure the agency can live within the new budget reality. Direction will be issued with more details soon.

In addition to covering the budget, Jaelith Hall-Rivera touched on the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey before turning to Katie O'Connor, who spoke about the efforts the Work Environment and Performance Office is making related to feedback from the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey and the positive feedback the agency received overall. She assured employees that existing programs and leadership opportunities are not disappearing, mentioning the Senior Leader program and the recently established Emerging Leader program, as well as the new Ombuds program.

The call also touched on the recent Equity Summit and included a video about the meaning of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.