By Kevin Proescholdt and George Nickas, Wilderness Watch
The news is filled with stories of how the Trump administration and its so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have fired thousands of federal employees who work for our public land agencies. Though Trump had been talking about gutting the federal workforce, the way it was done without regard for how it would affect the agencies’ ability to carry out their responsibilities came as quite a shock.
As one U.S. Forest Service wilderness ranger wrote in a recent Wilderness Watch blog:
“The dust has had time to settle, and we can now assess the damage. All probationary Forest Service employees in ‘non-fire’ positions were fired. There are almost no wilderness rangers left in my state and many of my neighboring states. Beyond Wilderness, there are almost no field-going recreation employees left. The temporaries are gone, the permanent seasonals are gone. Without staff, many ranger districts will struggle to even utilize volunteers.”
In a recent meeting that Wilderness Watch attended, the Forest Service described the impacts of cuts to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in central Washington. The popular and spectacular Enchantments area of the Wilderness typically has 10-12 wilderness rangers each summer who patrol and clean up after the 100,000 visitors that descend on the area each year. This year there will be only one wilderness ranger, who will have to share their time between the Enchantments and another 150,000 acres of Wilderness on the ranger district. It’s an utterly impossible task that will result in significant damage to these priceless lands. Similar stories are playing out in other Wildernesses as the Trump cuts kick in.
The layoffs, firings, and forced early retirements didn’t just hit field-going crews. For the Forest Service, the national program leader has left, and eight of the nine regional offices are now without wilderness staff. Major cuts have hit Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs as well. The combination of chaotic firings and early retirements means the most experienced agency wilderness people are now gone.
Yet the untold story is that the downfall of wilderness programs has been a long time in the making. By the time Trump and Musk started recklessly eliminating jobs, Wilderness was one of the areas already hardest hit—not because of sheer numbers laid off or fired, but because there were already relatively few wilderness staff left. This is especially true for the Forest Service, which historically had far and away the most robust wilderness program, but has been gradually shrinking its wilderness crews for years.
The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness (SBW) straddling the Bitterroot Mountains along the Montana-Idaho border is a case in point. At more than 1.3 million acres, the SBW is the third largest national forest Wilderness in the entire country. In the early 1990s, the SBW had nine permanent wilderness rangers, eight seasonal wilderness rangers, an entire ranger district—the Moose Creek Ranger District—dedicated solely to the SBW, and a wilderness coordinator for the wilderness programs across the six ranger districts and three national forests that oversee the SBW. By 2019, however, this robust wilderness program had dwindled to just three permanent and one seasonal wilderness rangers. The coordinator position was gone, and the Moose Creek District had been merged with an adjacent multiple-use district.
Last fall, things got even worse, even before DOGE and Trump, when then-Forest Service Chief Randy Moore announced that in 2025 there would be no hiring of temporary (seasonal) employees—a group that has historically made up a significant number of wilderness rangers and trail crew. For many Wildernesses, Moore’s edict was going to result in no field presence at all. And numbers tell only part of the story. What was also being lost was decades of institutional knowledge, the traditional skills necessary to steward Wilderness, and a voice within the agencies standing up for Wilderness when harmful projects are planned.
Wilderness Watch had raised this concern for decades, but it had been ignored by agency leaders, Congress, and the media. The Forest Service, and to a lesser extent the BLM, tried to cover up their lack of commitment to their wilderness programs by bringing on volunteers to replace professional, seasoned rangers. But now there aren’t enough rangers to even manage the volunteers, so in most cases much of that help is now gone too.
So, what can be done? In the short term, we can hope that the recent DOGE firings will be reversed, either by the courts or by urging our elected officials to restore funding for the agency programs. That could help hold off some of the damage that will undoubtedly occur over the next few years. And we must all redouble our efforts to push back against destructive proposals we know are headed our way.
Longer term, we need a durable response to the decades- long neglect and animus toward Wilderness that, for many years, has been the hallmark of the four agencies that manage Wilderness. We need a fundamental change to how Wilderness is administered and safeguarded across the land.
Twenty-five years ago, the four federal land agencies commissioned the Pinchot Institute for Conservation to do an assessment of their wilderness programs. The panel consisted of a number of wilderness luminaries, and it took input from wilderness conservationists and wilderness critics around the country. But it spent most of its time talking with federal agency wilderness leaders themselves. The report recognized the unique challenges of protecting and preserving Wilderness and the dedication of many of the staff involved, but nonetheless concluded that the agencies’ collective lack of commitment would lead to the eventual loss of the Wilderness System.
One of the panelists, former Secretary of Interior Stewart Udall, who served in both Congress and the Cabinet (as well as on the Wilderness Watch board of directors), was unequivocal in his conclusion that the four land management agencies weren’t up to the task. He urged the panel to recommend that the overarching responsibilities for Wilderness be placed in a new agency, one dedicated solely to the wilderness task. In calling for creating a new “National Wilderness Service,” Udall wrote:
“We must show the courage to suggest and promote alternatives that will create real change. We should pursue them with the energy and boldness of people like Bob Marshall and Howard Zahniser, who promoted an idea that seemed extreme in their day, but that most Americans now take for granted.”
When the dust settles, attempting to recreate the situation that existed prior to the Trump raids would be a fool’s errand, destined to condemn our precious National Wilderness Preservation System to the dustbin of history. Rather, we should see the near total elimination of the current failing programs as an opportunity to create something much better, a new entity that is passionate about the challenge of protecting and preserving our incomparable National Wilderness Preservation System. Udall’s call for a National Wilderness Service totally dedicated to that cause, and filled with public servants truly committed to that charge, is a great place to start.
Kevin Proescholdt is the conservation director and George Nickas is the executive director of Wilderness Watch.
Photo: Trail crew in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness by USFS
220 Comments
I read through this article and agree with this paragraph: When the dust settles, attempting to recreate the situation that existed prior to the Trump raids would be a fool’s errand, destined to condemn our precious National Wilderness Preservation System to the dustbin of history. Rather, we should see the near total elimination of the current failing programs as an opportunity to create something much better, a new entity that is passionate about the challenge of protecting and preserving our incomparable National Wilderness Preservation System. Udall’s call for a National Wilderness Service totally dedicated to that cause, and filled with public servants truly committed to that charge, is a great place to start.
Trump is forcing all government agencies, private law firms, universities, research entities, citizens to really be thoughtful about how we proceed in the future. It is going to take decades to repair the harm Trump and his Cult have inflicted on every aspect of American life. If we survive this presidency, we must have intelligent, thoughtful visions to move forward.
PRESIDENT TEDDY ROOSEVELT WOULD BE OUTRAGED AND HORRIFIED OF THE BLATANT DISREGARD AND EXPLOITATION OF OUR NATIONAL TREASURES!
I oppose more cuts to the National Park Service by the Trump Administration.
A National Wilderness Service? I like it! It will take some time, and effort, and convincing, but I’m in.
Thank you
I worked 12 seasons with the USFS in fire, wildlife, developed recreation, and visitor services. My partner has been in the trails program for many years and is one of the very few people who have skills that are nearly extinct and rarely used in modern times. The kind of work the CCC’s did that can still be seen today in many national parks. These skills must be preserved and taught before they are lost. The Wilderness Agency is a brilliant idea. We also need a Wilderness skills institute that provides more than just three or four days of introduction to these skills. We need mentors who can oversee longer, more intensive training and ensure that these skills are being used regularly.
If we don’t save the wilderness that is left, and add to it (globally), then we will have proven, without a shadow-of-doubt, that we are the most idiotic creatures to ever roam the earth.
I oppose more cuts to the National Park Service by the Trump Administration.
As one U.S. Forest Service wilderness ranger wrote in a recent Wilderness Watch blog:
“The dust has had time to settle, and we can now assess the damage. All probationary Forest Service employees in ‘non-fire’ positions were fired. There are almost no wilderness rangers left in my state and many of my neighboring states. Beyond Wilderness, there are almost no field-going recreation employees left. The temporaries are gone, the permanent seasonals are gone. Without staff, many ranger districts will struggle to even utilize volunteers.”
How can we protect our wild habitats when a “Chainsaw” has been used to indiscriminately remove Forest Service employees?
We must work together to create something much better than the original National Wilderness Preservation System.
Former Secretary of Interior Stewart Udall recommended that the overarching responsibilities for Wilderness be placed in a new agency, one dedicated solely to the wilderness task. I agree with this suggestion.
Please realize that natural habitats must be preserved for the future health of our planet.
CONSERVATION – the most important thing there is on Earth! 🌍🌎🌏
without rangers and our wilderness system in place and properly funded for the long hall we may lose everything and our environment, and planet need wilderness to live.
Sacrificing the Wilderness and wildlife to give billions to the wealthiest individuals and corporations is not only abysmal stewardship of our nation’s resources, but also a crime against all Americans, both present and future. Please follow former Secretary Udall’s recommendations to create a new National Wilderness Service staffed with professionals to reverse the Administration’s foolishness and preserve our unspoiled areas for future generations. Thank you.
Each day my heart breaks a little more from the damages across the board by this criminal administration. Yet, each day I build my resolve to keep fighting. I’ve been an environmentalist my whole life, 70 years and will continue to fight for future generations. Wilderness areas are one of the most precious things in this life. Most Americans value our protected lands. It’s critical that all of us continue to support and fight the good fight. I love the idea of one agency dedicated to protecting our precious resources.
Gutting the Federal Workface where the Agency Aids in the Protection of the Forests, the Animals, Water, etc. Is Unconscionable!The DOGE Inhumane Cuts Should be Put Back In Place, Where They Belong!
These horrible cuts must be undone to take care of our beautiful natural lands and the animals and species that call them home!
Now’s the time to create a better entity which will protect and preserve our Natural Wilderness. With Trump gutting many of our services and employees, we need a way to create something new, better and properly staffed.
I agree with Stewart Udall. After the toxic, cruel & heartless Trump Administration leaves office, I think that creating a brand new & dedicated Agency to Protect & Preserve U.S. Wilderness Areas would be a great idea! I hope it happens! We must Defend Wildness! I enjoyed reading this article. It was very informative.
Well written article. Follows on the heels of Secretary Rollins comments yesterday, yet makes more sense as it address things she didn’t.
Praying ifor the planet and us while fighting the corrupt administration
A new National Wilderness Service totally dedicated to protecting and preserving our incomparable National Wilderness Preservation System and filled with public servants truly committed to that charge, is a great idea.
If the purpose of Wilderness designation is to be upheld, management must include support staff and oversight. This national legacy mandates a need for knowledgeable people to be retained and more to be trained. This is a particular needed. Please give our treasure your support!
“When the dust settles, attempting to recreate the situation that existed prior to the Trump raids would be a fool’s errand, destined to condemn our precious National Wilderness Preservation System to the dustbin of history. Rather, we should see the near total elimination of the current failing programs as an opportunity to create something much better, a new entity that is passionate about the challenge of protecting and preserving our incomparable National Wilderness Preservation System. Udall’s call for a National Wilderness Service totally dedicated to that cause, and filled with public servants truly committed to that charge, is a great place to start.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself. It’s time we take caring for our lands seriously. In this time of crisis, not much is more important than caring for Earth itself.
The original agreements must be kept in place. Do not bow down to a few select people. Leave the wilderness wild and get rid of the cabins
Wholeheartedly agree–this is a vital undertaking that needs to happen!
Take care of Our Glorious World!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Establishing an agency solely focused on preserving and protecting these irreplaceable wild lands is essential. If existing agencies are unable or unwilling to meet this challenge, a dedicated body must step in. Free from the competing demands of resource extraction and multi-use mandates, the National Wilderness Service would ensure consistent, long-term stewardship of the nation’s most pristine and vulnerable natural areas.
REVERSE THE DOGE FIRINGS!!!!
Our Wilderness is in a crisis!
Increase the number rangers and other employees who understand the importance of Protecting the unique treasure we have!
I agree with you, Lindsey.
Wholeheartedly Agree with your statements & issued likewise. Some of these other replies are short of any common sense or critical thinking process!
This will be a huge mistake. One that will be realized to late to do anything. The human race lives on this beautiful planet with all plants and species. When will humans realize we will not live without the wildlife and plants that were put on our Earth? The Earth will do better without humans than with as of now. Let’s make a change and be a benefit not a destroyer.
Our current wilderness managing agencies are not worthy of protecting the wilderness. We should see the near total elimination of the current failing programs as an opportunity to create something much better, a new entity that is passionate about the challenge of protecting and preserving our incomparable National Wilderness Preservation System. Udall’s call for a National Wilderness Service totally dedicated to that cause, and filled with public servants truly committed to that charge, is a great place to start.
I agree with the article. For the record, I am a couch potato who would like to stay at a lodge sitting in an overstuffed chair with a warm brandy in front of the fireplace. However, even a couch potato appreciates the wilderness and the need to protect it. We think we are the apex beings of the planet. No, we are not. We are destroying the very environment we need to sustain us. When we destroy the environment, where will we live. We are the ones who need mother nature, not the other way around.
Our wilderness areas must be preserved and protected. Each one is unique and important to our country. The thought that they are being abandoned is horrible. We are not being good stewards of these gifts if we do not correct the current course of neglect. Our founders expected better from us.