The Truth About Public Lands, Federal Agencies, and Why They Matter

Beyond the Headlines: Why Federal stewardship is critical for our collective well-being

Federal actions are threatening the stability of our economy, environment, and essential public services. Public lands and the agencies that manage them are not just recreational spaces or bureaucratic institutions- they are the foundation of thriving communities, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable industries. When federal policies erode protections, reduce funding, or diminish agency capacity, the consequences ripple far beyond government offices. This isn’t just about budget lines or personnel shifts; it’s about safeguarding the very systems that sustain both people and wildlife.

Public Lands: More Than Scenic Backdrops—A Vital Economic Engine

Public lands drive the economies of rural and urban communities alike. In 2022, outdoor recreation contributed $1.1 trillion to the U.S. economy and supported 4.5 million jobs. These lands fuel industries like tourism, hospitality, and retail, making them an economic powerhouse. Despite their immense value- generating nearly 2% of the U.S. GDP- their management costs remain under 1% of the federal budget. Cutting support for public lands is not a cost-saving measure; it’s a direct hit to the economic lifeblood of countless communities that depend on them.

Beyond Recreation: The Ecosystem Services We Take for Granted

Public lands do far more than provide hiking trails and campsites. They deliver essential services that impact daily life, often in ways that go unnoticed. National forests and grasslands supply more than 20% of Americans with clean drinking water. They provide critical habitat for wildlife, including species once on the brink of extinction, like the gray wolf. These lands also serve as climate refugia- large, intact habitats where species can adapt and persist despite increasing human development and climate pressures. Meanwhile, responsible forest management plays a key role in wildfire resilience and supports sustainable timber industries. When public lands are underfunded, these services don’t just suffer-they disappear.

The Federal Workforce: The Backbone of Public Lands Management

Federal land management isn’t just about policies; it’s about people. The dedicated professionals within agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management aren’t faceless bureaucrats—they’re passionate civil servants often earning less than private sector colleagues. Nearly 30% of the federal workforce are veterans, bringing expertise and dedication to these roles at nearly six times the rate of the civilian workforce. Yet, despite their critical role, federal employees are too often scapegoated for government inefficiencies they don’t control, all while being asked to do more with fewer resources. Since 2010, the federal workforce has shrunk by 250,000 employees, even as our population continues to grow- a trend that has been consistent for decades. Undermining this workforce doesn’t solve problems; it creates new ones.

Critical Programs on the Chopping Block

Federal investment in conservation doesn’t just support landscapes- it funds programs that protect water quality, wildlife populations, and community resilience. Programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), and NOAA Coastal Resilience Grants provide irreplaceable benefits at the state and local levels. These are only a few of the initiatives safeguarding drinking water, restore habitats, and build climate adaptation strategies. Yet, without federal support, states lack the resources to sustain them. Gutting these programs isn’t just a policy choice; it’s a step backward in protecting public health, safety, and environmental stability.

“Criticizing federal workers, bureaucracy and regulation is easy, but they are the backbone of a stable society and economy. The problem isn’t oversight—it’s the illusion that we can dismantle it without drastic real-world consequences.”
– Dan Wilson, Community Partnerships

Public lands, clean water, and wildlife conservation aren’t partisan issues- they’re shared values. The agencies that manage these resources do more than maintain trails and campsites; they ensure the long-term health of landscapes that benefit all Americans. The consequences of underfunding and neglecting these systems are profound: weakened economies, degraded ecosystems, and increased vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Federal agencies and the protections they enforce are critical resources against the loss and degradation of our natural resources.

Defunding, dismantling, or devaluing these agencies isn’t about efficiency- it’s about priorities. If we want future generations to experience thriving landscapes, clean rivers, and resilient wildlife populations, we must push back against shortsighted decisions that undermine public lands and the people who protect them. These aren’t political bargaining chips or playgrounds for powerful interests- they’re critical shared resources that demand care, investment, and respect. The truth is simple: public lands matter, federal agencies matter, and what happens to them affects us all.