In 2023, I joined the US Forest Service as part of a group of 130 recent college graduates, many of whom were from underrepresented backgrounds. Growing up in California, I witnessed the beauty of nature alongside the devastating effects of climate change. This led me to pursue a career where I could directly address these pressing issues. Surrounded by like-minded individuals in the Forest Service, I felt empowered to make a positive impact on the environment.
Fast forward two years, and I found myself unexpectedly out of a job, along with nearly 5,000 Forest Service employees and over 317,000 federal employees overall. The loss went beyond just numbers; it entailed the theft of taxpayer-funded resources, erasure of institutional knowledge, and uncertainty for young recruits.
The US Forest Service is dedicated to “Caring for the Land and Serving People,” with a focus on sustainable forest management, wildfire mitigation, and community support. I worked in the State, Private, and Tribal Forestry branch, where my team diligently distributed resources to communities in need. The sudden cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) resulted in the termination of critical grants, halting essential conservation work, including wildfire management efforts.
Moreover, the removal of taxpayer-funded tools like the Social Vulnerability Index and Environmental Justice Screening Tool disrupted the equitable allocation of resources and vital research on public health. These actions not only hindered the work of federal agencies but also undermined data justice principles by withholding crucial information from the public.
The loss of institutional knowledge was another blow, particularly affecting younger employees like myself. With experienced mentors forced into early retirement and key programs disbanded, the transfer of expertise and trust with external partners was severely disrupted. The repercussions of this loss of knowledge will likely impact the future federal workforce for years to come.
The departure of passionate young professionals from federal service also raised concerns about the future of public service careers. Pathways programs that aimed to attract and retain young talent were undermined, leading to a breakdown of trust between young individuals and federal employment. Rebuilding this trust and restoring faith in public service will require substantial efforts and time.
Despite these challenges, there is hope in the resilience of external organizations, the support of communities, and the dedication of former colleagues who continue to advocate for the value of their work. Rebuilding what was lost will require ongoing advocacy, understanding from decision-makers, and a collective effort to restore the vital work of public service agencies.
