A Compounding Crisis in the Central Cascades

The holistic impact of budget cuts, staff reductions, and diminished morale will deteriorate our shared resources

BY LAUREL BAUM, CENTRAL CASCADES WATERSHED RESTORATION MANAGER

Federal mass firings are just the beginning… 

If you’ve been following the news and updates of the Federal workforce, you may know some of the following: good, hard-working, dedicated, civil servants employed in natural resource fields working for the United States Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and National Parks Departments were fired because they were still within their one year “probationary” window. Some of them were promoted in the past year because of exceptional job performance. Many had been hired on as permanent seasonal staff to backfill previous gaps in the workforce. This action targeted “low-hanging fruit” in the civil service, a decision made without considering the potential impact. In Washington State, it resulted in a “Reduction in Force” of over 370 employees; some of whom have reportedly been rehired recently, but details are difficult to confirm. 

Even before these recent firings and reductions in force, there were broad orders of fleet reductions and staffing vacancies due to a lack of funding. Over the past few decades, staffing vacancies have become the norm; closed bathrooms and trailheads have also become the norm. Abuse of dispersed recreation areas, in the form of trash, dumping, damage to natural resources, and unsanitary conditions, has become the norm. Overleveraged forests, ranger stations, and staff now face further limitations, increased chaos, and those who remain are demoralized, operating under a gag order not to discuss most details for fear of retribution. 

The Generational Impacts 

Nationwide firings and reductions in force not only affect the hardworking individuals on the ground, but they also diminish opportunities for the next generation of young people and entry-level workers who aspire to serve our shared natural resources. This could lead to a significant gap in the trained workforce and discourage young adults from pursuing careers in National Forests. The loss of these positions is an important concern. The positions that have been cut often include the lowest-paying, entry-level jobs—roles that involve some of the most challenging work but are carried out with pride by those who are passionate about working alongside partners in the field. These cuts also affect the next level of positions, which manage youth and young adult crews. Without these vital roles, the foundation that supports seasonal jobs is crumbling. 

Shifting Baselines for our shared resources 

Collectively, we—outdoor enthusiasts, recreationists, motorists, lovers of wilderness and wildlife, hunters, anglers, and conservationists—cannot let the decline of these agencies become the norm, especially when it means they can no longer fulfill their basic duties in managing our public lands. Our National Forests are where people connect with the wild beauty and biodiversity of our land. Among those caught in the first rounds of terminations include: 

• The stock program that helps to maintain miles of trails deep within wilderness boundaries 

• The recreation staff who mentored Youth Conservation Corps members, replaced outdated campsite infrastructure, and installed buck-and-rail fences to protect meadows 

• The front-country and seasonal staff who maintained public facilities, cleaned vault toilets, and built infrastructure for campers 

• U.S. Forest Service staff members who supported Conservation Northwest in removing over 4,000 pounds of trash  

Questions Remain, Doubts Reign 

What is the fate of our public lands and the staff who steward them? Who will take on these essential jobs this coming summer? How many bathrooms, trailheads, and information centers will remain closed due to staffing shortages? The recent firings have not only gutted the core of the U.S. Forest Service but also dealt a severe blow to the morale of the federal workforce. Long-term staff and advocates for wildlife-centered projects continue to leave before they lose everything in the future reductions in force. Even as news reports suggest that some recently let-go employees have returned to their roles, there is little confirmation that these changes are permanent or made in good faith with court orders. The situation remains uncertain and precarious. 

From Crisis to Action 

With millions of federal dollars “frozen” over the past few months, we have been forced to rethink how to pivot from federal implementation projects to fostering stronger collaboration and partnerships on the ground. The question we now face is whether we can harness the momentum of public outcry for our public lands to create a future of greater public stewardship and education on how to care for these spaces in a sustainable way.

We believe one answer lies in increasing volunteer opportunities and building stronger partnerships with groups and organizations that share our commitment to preserving these lands as intact ecosystems for both wildlife and people. This spring and summer, we encourage you to join us in this effort.

By volunteering, you can help minimize the impacts of staffing shortages and support the protection of our public lands. 

Please reach out to Laurel Baum if you are interested in volunteering with us!