This statement is in response to the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) layoffs and firings of thousands of federal employees.

WASHINGTON, D.C. February 28, 2025 — A coalition of 495 public lands advocacy organizations today called on Congress to immediately halt and reverse unprecedented mass terminations affecting approximately 5,700 federal employees across critical land management agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, and National Park Service.

The organizations warn that these indiscriminate workforce reductions threaten the protection of America's public lands and could cause significant economic disruption in surrounding communities. The terminated employees include vital professionals such as wildlife biologists, park rangers, maintenance staff, educators, and recreation specialists who are essential to managing and preserving national natural and cultural resources.

These workforce cuts were made without consideration of the critical roles these employees play in stewarding our nation's public lands. The $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy and the millions of Americans who depend on these lands will suffer direct and immediate consequences.

Many terminated employees are being forced to uproot their lives, after investing years of training, and demonstrating a deep commitment to public service. Many were recently promoted or in the early stages of their probationary periods when unexpectedly let go.

We are urgently requesting congressional intervention to:

• Immediately reverse the terminations
• Halt further workforce reductions in public land management agencies
• Reassess the impact of these staffing cuts on national resource management