Recently, thousands of employees from the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service were laid off. This action is part of broader cuts from the Trump administration that impact federal jobs. These agencies manage a vast area—278 million acres—which is comparable to the combined land of Texas and Montana.
With many staff positions cut, basic park services like maintaining trails, cleaning facilities, and assisting visitors have been affected. Employees warn that America’s public lands could fall into neglect without proper staffing.
Current and former workers have noted that these agencies were already short on funds and personnel before the recent layoffs, especially as climate change puts more stress on natural resources. Over the weekend, I talked to several employees who lost their jobs or had offers withdrawn. Many had dedicated years, even decades, to serving these lands.
The job cuts may also impact local economies and safety. Those let go included roles such as river and wilderness rangers, scientists focused on forest health, and firefighters—every position vital for protecting landscapes and communities from growing wildfire risks tied to climate change.
Most of those affected lived in small towns and had little backup if they lost their jobs. They worked for these agencies out of love for public lands and a desire to serve their communities.
According to a spokesperson for the Agriculture Department, which oversees the Forest Service, around 2,000 non-firefighting employees were let go to ensure essential safety positions remain. The National Park Service did not provide immediate comments.
One ranger, Kate White, recently lost her job after years of service. She and her small team helped maintain 500 miles of trails in the Cascade Mountains. With only one ranger left to oversee a vast wilderness area, the strain on remaining staff is immense. Many of these workers are trained for emergency wildfire response, and their absence raises concerns for community safety as wildfire risks increase.
Stacy Ramsey, who worked as a river ranger in Arkansas, received her termination notice while on duty. She had been the only year-round ranger responsible for visitor safety along a river that is changing rapidly due to extreme weather. Without staff to monitor conditions and educate visitors, the risk of accidents is likely to rise.
Jillian Greene, another ranger, expressed her worries about the future of public lands following her job loss. Previously, five rangers managed a significant wilderness area, but now there are barely any left to help visitors stay safe and informed.
The impact of these layoffs is far-reaching, affecting not just the workers but also the very landscapes they protect and the communities that depend on them. The bond between staff and the land is strong, and the fear of what comes next is real for many who gave their all to serve these vital resources.
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Trump, Donald J
