In recent weeks, we in the United States have watched in horror as thousands of people were illegally fired from the very agencies responsible for preserving our public lands and protecting wildlife.
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS), National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have all experienced sweeping staff reductions, prompting massive public outcry and nationwide protests.
While I'm personally extremely concerned and devastated by this, I want this post to be as unbiased as possible in order to present factual evidence and critical analysis of what has happened (rather than an emotion-fueled post expressing my feelings about this).
Do not be fooled, dear reader: I am furious, I am terrified, and I'm taking action. But let's jump into what's happening, what it means, and what you can do to help. Let's focus on the facts and on action.
What happened: Illegal federal layoffs and environmental rollbacks
On February 14, 2025, the Trump administration enacted a series of layoffs targeting federal agencies tasked with managing national parks, public lands, and endangered species protections.
These cuts resulted in the termination of approximately:
3,400 USFS employees (~10% of its workforce)
1,000 NPS employees (~5% of its staff)
800 BLM employees (~5% of its staff)
420 FWS employees (~5% of its workforce)
These mass terminations were executed under the directive of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk. The justification given was to "streamline government operations and reduce unnecessary expenditures." However, these layoffs disproportionately affect frontline conservation workers, park rangers, and scientists responsible for protecting wildlife and managing public lands. In addition, many of these employees were told they were eliminated due to “poor performance” yet had spotless performance reports in the past.
Adding to the alarm, Trump signed executive orders that weaken the Endangered Species Act and expand logging and drilling activities on federal lands.
These policies, combined with the staffing cuts, raise serious concerns about the future of biodiversity, national parks, and natural resources in the U.S.
What do these agencies do?
The United States is home to vast and diverse public lands (840 million acres), from national parks and forests to wildlife refuges and recreation areas. These lands are managed by different federal agencies, each with distinct missions, priorities, and regulations. Understanding the roles of these agencies helps us appreciate their contributions and navigate the rules that govern our public spaces.
National Park Service (NPS) – Preservation and recreation
The National Park Service (NPS) manages over 400 units, including national parks, monuments, historic sites, and battlefields. Its mission is preservation-focused, meaning the primary goal is to protect natural and cultural resources while providing for public enjoyment. Activities like camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing are encouraged, but resource protection remains the priority.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – Multi-use public lands
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees nearly 250 million acres, primarily in the western U.S. Unlike the NPS, BLM land follows a multiple-use mandate, balancing conservation with activities like grazing, mining, energy development, and recreation. While these lands often see fewer restrictions than national parks, they still require responsible stewardship. Popular BLM activities include dispersed camping, OHV (off-highway vehicle) riding, and backcountry exploration.
U.S. Forest Service (USFS) – Conservation and sustainable use
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) manages national forests and grasslands, balancing resource conservation with sustainable use. These lands support recreation, logging, and grazing while maintaining ecological health. Unlike national parks, USFS lands often allow hunting, fishing, and motorized recreation. Visitors can typically camp outside developed areas, making these lands popular for dispersed camping and adventure sports like mountain biking and backcountry skiing.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) – Wildlife and habitat protection
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) oversees the National Wildlife Refuge System, prioritizing wildlife conservation above all else. While some refuges allow recreational activities like hiking, birdwatching, and fishing, access is often limited to protect habitats. Hunting and fishing are permitted in designated areas, but activities that could disrupt wildlife, like off-trail hiking or camping, are usually restricted.
The devastating impact of these actions
The consequences of these illegal layoffs extend far beyond job losses—they pose a direct threat to the environment, the economy, and public access to cherished national lands.
Here are some of the key negative impacts.
1. Loss of critical conservation programs
Many wildlife protection and habitat restoration programs rely on federal agencies for funding and personnel. With the loss of hundreds of FWS and USFS employees, projects aimed at protecting endangered species, restoring wetlands, and preventing wildfires will be severely disrupted. Scientists and land managers who monitor ecosystem health are being removed at a time when climate change demands more environmental oversight, not less.
2. Increased wildfire risks
With fewer USFS personnel on the ground, wildfire prevention efforts will suffer. The agency is responsible for controlled burns, forest thinning, and rapid response to fire outbreaks. Without adequate staffing, wildfire seasons are likely to become even more destructive, threatening communities, wildlife, and critical infrastructure.
3. Neglect of national parks and public lands
Layoffs at NPS mean fewer rangers, fewer maintenance workers, and fewer educational programs for visitors. Park services that keep trails safe, restrooms clean, and visitor centers staffed will be drastically cut back. National parks, already facing underfunding issues, will see an increase in trail erosion, litter, vandalism, and unsafe conditions. Mt. Rainier National Park, for example, fired their only plumber, and Yosemite National Park fired their only locksmith.
4. Impact on local economies and tourism
National parks and public lands generate billions of dollars in tourism revenue annually. In gateway communities around parks like Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, and the Grand Canyon, local businesses depend on visitor spending. Fewer rangers and staff could lead to park closures or reduced hours, hitting small businesses, tour guides, and hospitality workers hard.
In 2023, 325 million National Park visitors spent an estimated $26.4 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands across the country. These expenditures supported a total of 415 thousand jobs, $19.4 billion in labor income, $32.0 billion in value added, and $55.6 billion in economic output in the national economy. This site can break down economic output by park if you're wanting to learn more. The FY 2024 budget for the NPS operations was $3.2 billion, which means the NPS makes up less than 0.15% of the total federal budget. The whole Department of Interior accounts for 0.7% of the FY 2025 U.S. federal budget.
5. Endangered species and historical artifacts at greater risk
With the Trump administration's recent rollback of Endangered Species Act protections, combined with the loss of staff who enforce conservation policies, species already on the brink of extinction could face further peril. Protections for species such as grizzly bears, gray wolves, and spotted owls are now in jeopardy, as habitat loss from logging and development goes largely unchecked.
The National Park system contains habitats for more than 600 threatened and endangered species protected by the Endangered Species Act. On top of that, this agency oversees over 87,000 archeological sites on park lands and 32 million artifacts and associated documentation in curatorial facilities.
6. Privatization of public lands
Some critics worry that the systematic dismantling of these agencies is a step toward the privatization of public lands. With fewer rangers and conservationists to protect these lands, industries like mining, logging, and oil drilling may find it easier to gain access, turning previously protected areas into profit-driven extraction sites.
We need more federal workers, not less
Over the past 50 years, the number of federal workers has grown by roughly 6%. At the same time, the U.S. population has increased by 57%. The ratio of federal workers to national population has steadily decreased for the more than a half-century at this point. We need more federal workers, not less.
On top of that, these are essential workers who take lower-than-average salaries due to their dedication to our country. In 2024, the total federal workforce compensation of $293 billion amounted to just 4.3% of the federal budget. Meanwhile, federal contractors accounted for $759.2 billion, or 11.4%. If federal workers were paid equally to private sector workers, their pay would make up a 10% share of the budget. Federal workers earn nearly 25% less than private sector and state and local workers who perform similar jobs.
Nationwide protests across the United States
The public response to these layoffs has been fast and impactful. On March 1st, 2025, thousands of people gathered at more than 170 national sites (National parks, monuments, battlegrounds, seashores, and more) to protest against the mass layoffs, environmental rollbacks, and the broader threat to public lands.
The Resistance Rangers, a coalition of more than 700 laid-off and off-duty park rangers and other community organizers and activists, played a crucial role in organizing these nationwide demonstrations. They aimed to not only voice their outrage but also educate the public about the direct consequences these cuts will have on conservation, park maintenance, and community economies.
The protests were peaceful demonstrations all over the country with people from all sides of the political spectrum participating. As we know, our National Parks Service has the highest favorability rating of any government agency (76%), which speaks to the fact that this is a nonpartisan issue. Democrats, Republicans, and everyone in-between see how these actions by Trump's administration harm the future of our public lands.
Key protest locations and actions:
Washington, D.C. – Protesters gathered in front of the Department of the Interior, where former rangers, conservationists, and environmental activists spoke about the long-term consequences of dismantling public land protections.
Yosemite National Park, CA – Protesters used the park’s live webcams to broadcast messages like "Stand up! 4 public land + the people who protect it," reaching millions online. (Source)
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ – A coalition of local Indigenous groups joined the protests, highlighting how these policies endanger sacred lands and cultural heritage sites.
Rocky Mountain National Park, CO – Nearly 1,000 people gathered at park entrances, chanting "Save our parks," with local officials warning of economic and environmental consequences. (Source)
Olympic National Park, WA – Protesters displayed signs stating "Olympic National Park not for sale," rallying against logging expansions in the area.
Mount Rainier National Park, WA – Nearly 300 people showed up to this remote National Park one day before its "birthday," including Indigenous people from the nearby Nisqually Tribe.
How you can help
1. Support the remaining park, forest, and land Management staff
The rangers, scientists, firefighters, and maintenance workers still on the job are now stretched thinner than ever. Supporting them can make a real difference.
A. Be a responsible visitor
Follow Leave No Trace principles to reduce strain on park resources.
Pack out all trash—understaffed parks may not be able to keep up with waste management.
Respect trail closures and guidelines to avoid further damage to fragile areas.
Be patient with remaining staff—they are working under difficult conditions with fewer resources.
B. Volunteer for park and trail maintenance
With fewer staff, many essential park functions will now rely more on volunteers.
Join groups like the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) or American Hiking Society for trail maintenance projects.
Look for local volunteer opportunities at your favorite national or state parks.
Help with citizen science projects that track wildlife, climate patterns, and environmental changes.
C. Donate to friends groups & conservation organizations
Many parks have “Friends of” organizations that provide funding and volunteer support. Consider donating to:
Friends of the National Parks Foundation
National Forest Foundation
The Sierra Club
Your local land trust or conservancy
These groups help fund park projects, protect wildlife, and fight for legislation that keeps public lands safe.
2. Push for change at the policy level
These mass layoffs were politically driven, and only political action can reverse them. If we want to protect public lands long-term, we need to hold decision-makers accountable.
A. Contact your representatives
Your elected officials need to hear from you—loudly and often.
Call or email your senators and representatives and demand they fight to restore funding and staffing for federal land agencies.
Urge them to reject further budget cuts and support legislation protecting our national parks and forests.
Ask them to support the restoration of fired staff and prioritize funding for wildfire prevention and conservation programs.
Find your representatives here: https://www.congress.gov/members.
B. Demand accountability from the administration
These mass firings were ordered at the highest levels of government—and the public needs to push back.
Write letters to the White House expressing your concerns.
Join protests and demonstrations to show public opposition.
Engage on social media to raise awareness and pressure officials to act.
C. Vote for pro-public lands candidates
Elections have consequences. If you want leadership that prioritizes conservation and public land funding:
Research candidates’ records on environmental and land management issues.
Support candidates who advocate for national parks, conservation funding, and climate action.
Register to vote and encourage others to do the same.
3. Support legal challenges against the firings
Several organizations are exploring legal action against the mass dismissals, arguing they were politically motivated and violated labor protections.
You can support these efforts by:
Donating to legal funds through organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity or the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
Following lawsuits and petitions to stay informed.
Signing petitions from conservation groups pushing back against the cuts.
These legal battles take time, but they could force a reversal of the firings or limit further damage.
4. Amplify the message: Raise awareness & build a movement
Public pressure works. The more people who know what’s happening, the harder it becomes for decision-makers to ignore.
A. Use social media for advocacy
Share news articles and firsthand accounts from fired employees.
Use hashtags like #ProtectOurLands and #FundOurParks to spread awareness.
Tag lawmakers and public officials to demand action.
Educate your followers on the real consequences of these firings.
B. Join or organize local events
Attend town halls and public meetings where land management decisions are discussed.
Organize community forums to educate and mobilize people.
Participate in rallies and marches to show public support for conservation funding.
Follow Resistance Rangers on social media to find out about when the next Protect Your Parks Protests will happen.
C. Write opinion pieces & letters to the editor
If you have writing skills, use them!
Submit op-eds to local or national newspapers about the impact of these firings.
Write letters to the editor urging readers to contact lawmakers and take action.
Highlight personal stories—how do these cuts affect your community, favorite park, or outdoor activities?
5. Engage in direct action
If traditional advocacy efforts aren’t enough, direct action campaigns may be necessary to protect public lands.
Organize park sit-ins or protests at threatened sites.
Pressure corporations and outdoor brands to take a stand—companies like REI, Patagonia, and The North Face have strong environmental commitments and can amplify these issues.
Engage in peaceful demonstrations in front of government buildings, state capitols, or relevant agencies.
The fight for public lands isn’t over
These mass firings are a serious blow to America’s outdoor spaces, conservation efforts, and public land infrastructure. But we don’t have to accept them as permanent.
By supporting the staff still on the ground, advocating for policy changes, funding conservation efforts, and mobilizing grassroots movements, we can fight back—and win.
Public lands belong to all of us—not to politicians, not to corporations, but to the people. It’s up to us to protect them. The time to act is now.
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