As wildfires continue to reshape America’s forest landscapes, the demand for reforestation has surged—and with it, the need for seasonal forestry workers. The H-2B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for temporary non-agricultural jobs, has become essential in restoring public and private forestlands and supporting rural economies. Forestry contractors rely heavily on H-2B workers to perform essential seasonal tasks, including: Tree planting after timber harvests or natural disturbances; Site preparation and vegetation management; and Reforestation of public and private lands. These workers plant over 85% of the trees on U.S. forestlands following a timber harvest or natural disturbance, making them indispensable to national reforestation efforts. …As policymakers consider reforms to the H-2B program, it’s vital they understand the ecological and economic stakes tied to forestry labor.