WASHINGTON, DC – February 14th, 2025 – The Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Affiliation is deeply alarmed by right this moment’s Division of the Inside (DOI)-wide termination of roughly 420 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) workers, lots of whom are essential to the mission of the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System). These firings, which disproportionately goal biologists and pure useful resource professionals, are a direct assault on science-based conservation and the way forward for America’s wildlife.
In line with reviews, these positions have been deemed “not within the public curiosity” by DOI—an assertion that basically ignores the position these professionals play in defending and restoring our nation’s wildlife and wild locations.
This sweeping, mass firing comes at a time when the Refuge System is already battling a decimated workforce. Immediately’s cuts will additional cripple the company’s potential to guard and handle America’s 573 nationwide wildlife refuges, which span 95 million acres of land, 750 million acres of marine habitat, and helps numerous species, lots of that are keystone species, pollinators, and others important to agriculture and the well being of ecosystems.
“Dropping this many devoted workers unexpectedly is an particularly devastating blow to conservation efforts nationwide and an intentional dismantling of science,” mentioned Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Affiliation. “The Nationwide Wildlife Refuge System was already underfunded and understaffed. The folks being fired right this moment are the spine of wildlife safety on this nation. With out them, habitats will degrade, endangered species will go unmonitored, trails will stay unmaintained, and guests will lose entry to environmental schooling and recreation alternatives. This can be a disaster. These terminations can have long-lasting penalties for the safety of wildlife and habitat, in addition to for the communities that depend upon refuges for recreation, tourism, and financial advantages.”
Studies point out that in an effort to rent new workers, the company might be required to get rid of 4 present positions for each one new rent—a coverage that can solely worsen the Refuge System’s staffing disaster.
The Refuge Affiliation urges the Division of the Inside and Congress to take speedy motion to forestall additional harm to the Refuge System and to reverse course and restore these positions and demanding staffing and funding for wildlife conservation. Our group, together with our companions, Refuge Mates teams, and refuge supporters and advocates, calls on decision-makers to prioritize the safety of the devoted professionals who safeguard our nation’s wildlife. The general public should communicate out earlier than extra harm is completed to our nation’s most treasured wild locations.
For extra info on how one can assist our efforts, go to refugeassociation.org.
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Because the unbiased voice advocating on behalf of the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge System, the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Affiliation protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage by way of strategic applications that serve the System and wildlife past its boundaries. The group addresses Refuge System funding, administration, and strategic development, whereas additionally selling applications that maximize the system’s conservation influence.
For all media inquiries and questions, please contact Eden Taylor, Director of Communications & Advertising and marketing at [email protected].
