JACKSON, Wyo. — On Wednesday, March 5, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Angus King (I-ME) hosted a virtual roundtable with public lands employees fired in President Trump’s staffing cuts to comment on the impacts being seen and felt nationwide.
According to Senator Merkley, the roundtable was organized to “sound the alarm” after probationary employees were fired from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS) for what the roundtable unanimously considered unsubstantiated performance failure in February. According to Senator Merkley, these staffing reductions will have devastating impacts on public lands for both natural resources and visitor experience and safety.
Senator King provided data from 2010 through 2023 showing that NPS staff has gone down across the board while visitation has continued to increase.
“The NPS was significantly understaffed before any layoffs,” Senator King said. “I think these folks have made a significant political mistake.”
Senator King also confirmed that firing “probationary” workers does not take into consideration ability or true longevity.
“You may have hired the very best park ranger, but, because they’re on probation, they’re fired,” Senator King said.
He emphasized that those who get promoted within the NPS also get put on probation again in their new roles, so civil servants who have been working for public lands for a decade still could have been fired as “probationary” workers.
Lydia Jones, a full-time employee with Badlands National Park, and Bailey Langley, a public affairs officer for Umatilla National Forest in Oregon, were both fired on Feb. 14. Both confirmed at the roundtable that the reason given for their firings was poor performance, even though their supervisors pushed back on their firings and argued against the reasoning.
Jones was one of only three certified EMS rangers at Badlands, and Langley was red card certified, meaning she was qualified to participate in wildland firefighting operations and education.
“I did what you were supposed to do…to get my dream job, serve my community, and then it was all taken away.”
Bailey Langley
“I did what you were supposed to do…to get my dream job, serve my community, and then it was all taken away,” Langley said.
“My greatest concern is the impact I see this having on our public lands as a whole, both on the lands and resource themselves but the public who visits them and the nearby communities,” Jones said. “The American people deserve to have an enjoyable and safe experience on their public lands, and I see that being eroded.”
Jeff Mow, who retired three years ago as the superintendent of Glacier National Park following a 32-year career, confirmed there’s a projected reduction of up to 40 percent of NPS staffing “that will be crippling” across the country. He said the public can expect reduced park hours, long lines and wait times and slower responses to emergencies.
Mow also said, based on his experience with budget changes in the past, less funding and staffing are likely to cause negative impacts on wildlife and on gateway community economies.
“I worry that with current and future staffing reductions…the NPS will not be able to operate sustainably into the future.”
Jeff Mow
“Over the past 30 years with the Park Service, I have been through many different budget exercises,” Mow said. “I believe the NPS will not be able to meet their statutory mandates. The morale at the NPS and all land management agencies is devastating, and I worry that with current and future staffing reductions…the NPS will not be able to operate sustainably into the future.”
Senator King encouraged the public to contact state representatives with feedback. Those in Wyoming can contact Congresswoman Harriet Hageman and Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis.
