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Forest Service Layoffs Leave Workers Reeling, Public Lands at Risk

For Laine Smith, there is nothing she would rather do than work on public lands.

“My first-ever job was for the Youth Conservation Corps in Yellowstone National Park,” Smith said. “Every summer after that, I worked for various organizations—the Student Conservation Association, the Appalachian Trail Club, the Southwest Conservation Corps. I did an internship with the Forest Service in 2020, and I’ve been with that office ever since. I just love working on the land—there’s nothing I’d rather do.”

Smith, 24, most recently worked for the Forest Service in the Ouray Ranger District as part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. As a trail crew member, she maintained trails, serviced bathrooms, and led volunteers to maintain off-highway vehicle and non-motorized trails across the San Juan Mountains.

On Feb. 13, her role was terminated, one of thousands of federal public land management employees laid off.

“I stepped out to take a phone call from my district ranger, and she basically just told me that I was being let go,” Smith said. “I just lost it. I had to hang up—it was the worst day ever.”

Smith said she had just accepted a permanent role in the Forest Service. She read from her termination letter:

“The agency finds, based on your performance, that you have not demonstrated that your further employment at the agency would be in the public interest.”

“That’s what they sent to thousands of people who were doing their job perfectly well, fully successfully,” she said.

According to local Forest Service union representatives, 15 employees from the GMUG National Forest were laid off, most of whom were in their probationary period. A federal wildland fire employee, who asked to remain anonymous due to concerns about retaliation, explained that the term “probationary” can be misleading.

“‘Probationary’ sounds bad, like you’re on probation for getting in trouble, but in the government, it just means every new permanent employee goes through a trial period,” the representative said. “It’s easier to let you go if you’re not up to standard or it’s not the right fit. So, you’re kind of trying to prove yourself during that first year, potentially two. A lot of these folks were targeted because they’re more vulnerable, and there’s less recourse for them to protest their firing.”

Smith said the wording of her termination letter prevents her from receiving unemployment benefits.

“Conversations I’ve had with my colleagues are just pretty hopeless,” she said. “We’re trying to fight, and a lot of us want to get our jobs back and spread the word because it’s really not fair.”

Another union representative said they are collecting information from terminated employees in case there is an opportunity to challenge the firings. But whether or not they are reinstated, the layoffs have left many feeling unsettled.

“It’s just an overall feeling of distrust and betrayal,” the representative said. “People that work for the federal government, in my experience, don’t do this for money or power—we do it because we love public lands. We dedicate our lives to this job and these agencies, so to be jerked around like this—it’s a really bad feeling. It’s hopelessness.”

Smith said the firings will have a direct impact on public lands.

“If you like using a trailhead bathroom, it’s likely that those will not be cleaned as often or could be closed,” she said. “A lot of trails won’t be maintained. If you like hiking, riding OHVs, biking—a lot of these trails won’t be accessible. We won’t have anyone patrolling the high alpine loops anymore, so if there are any accidents, you’ll just have to rely on calling 911—you won’t have our rangers to help.”

Union representatives said about half of the terminated employees worked in recreation programs and warned that further cuts may be coming. Federal agencies were asked to submit staff reduction plans by March 13.

“I just think it’s important for people to realize that this affects everyone,” Smith said. “You can make a difference by calling your representatives and making your voice heard—because it starts with firing public land workers, and it ends with selling off the public land for profit.”

Just this week, the Merit Systems Protection Board, a federal agency, ordered the reinstatement of 360 Montana-based Forest Service employees who were laid off due to unsubstantiated performance reviews.