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 370 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) workers, a lot of whom are important 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 experiences, 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. Right this moment’s cuts will additional cripple the company’s means 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, a lot of that are keystone species, pollinators, and others very 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 individuals 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 training and recreation alternatives. It is a disaster. These terminations can have long-lasting penalties for the safety of wildlife and habitat, in addition to for the communities that rely upon refuges for recreation, tourism, and financial advantages.”
Reviews point out that with a view to rent new workers, the company can be required to remove 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 important staffing and funding for wildlife conservation. Our group, together with our companions, Refuge Associates 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 finished 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 strategic applications that serve the System and wildlife past its boundaries. The group addresses Refuge System funding, administration, and strategic progress, whereas additionally selling applications that maximize the system’s conservation affect.
For all media inquiries and questions, please contact Eden Taylor, Director of Communications & Advertising at etaylor@refugeassociation.org.
