Pacific Northwest Trail Association’s Executive Director, Jeff Kish, recently flew to Washington, DC to advocate for the Pacific Northwest Trail, public lands in general, and the dedicated workers who care for them. Read below to learn what’s at stake.
Since mid-February, the news that federal land management agencies have been forced to lay off significant portions of their workforce has sent shockwaves through the conservation and outdoor recreation communities. While much attention has been given to these layoffs, there has been less focus on another serious issue: funding freezes for nonprofit partners. These freezes could have equally severe consequences. Now that the dust is settling from February’s chaos, a troubling picture is emerging for the future of our public lands.
A Workforce Already in Crisis
Even before these recent cuts, federal land management agencies were struggling with understaffing. For example, in 1995, the U.S. Forest Service had over 49,000 employees. By early 2025, that number had dropped to approximately 35,000 —a 28% decrease over 30 years. Meanwhile, the U.S. population has grown from 266 million to 341 million, meaning fewer workers are responsible for serving significantly more people.
In February, the Forest Service was ordered to lay off all employees in “probationary status,” cutting about 3,400 positions—around 10% of its workforce. The National Park Service saw roughly a 5% reduction. These cuts were not based on performance or discipline; probationary status simply means an employee has been in their position for less than a year. Many of those let go had recently been promoted due to strong performance, making these cuts especially painful.
More Than Just a 10% Reduction
At first glance, a 10% staff reduction might seem like it would lead to only a 10% reduction in work. Unfortunately, the reality is far worse.
Last September, the Forest Service announced it wouldn’t be able to hire seasonal employees in 2025 due to a major budget shortfall. This was partially caused by Congress mandating cost-of-living pay increases for federal employees without passing a budget to cover those increased costs. Seasonal employees—who perform essential fieldwork like trail maintenance and facility upkeep—were already a major part of the on-the-ground workforce. Losing them, combined with the recent layoffs, has left many national forest and parks severely understaffed.
Many of those cut in February had been working with the Forest Service for years as “1039 employees,” a classification for seasonal workers who work less than 1,040 hours annually. These positions offer no benefits like health insurance or retirement plans and provide little career advancement opportunity. So, when the agency offered some of them permanent seasonal roles last year, many jumped at the chance—only to now find themselves laid off due to their new probationary status.
The result? In some areas, what appears to be a 10% workforce cut could translate to the complete loss of federal staff responsible for maintaining trails, servicing restrooms, emptying trash bins, and managing access roads—services the public depends on.
The Role of Nonprofit Partners
Historically, nonprofits have helped fill the gaps in federal land management. Organizations like the Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA) play a crucial role in maintaining public lands by securing funding from non-federal sources and organizing volunteer efforts. In fact, the National Trails System Act requires national scenic trails like the Pacific Northwest Trail to be managed through a public-private partnership.
These partnerships stretch federal dollars further. For every dollar of federal funding they receive, nonprofits are required to match it with additional funding or volunteer labor. This system allows nonprofits to maximize impact without increasing taxpayer burden. However, federal funding still provides the foundation for these efforts—without it, the entire structure becomes unstable.
A One-Two Punch: Layoffs and Funding Freezes
The combination of mass layoffs and a freeze on funding to nonprofit partners is devastating for public lands.
Some may be under the impression that the federal funding freeze has been reversed. While this was widely reported, the Forest Service still owes nonprofits like PNTA hundreds of thousands of dollars for contractually obligated work completed in 2024. Legally, they are required to reimburse these expenses, but the delay puts immense financial strain on organizations that rely on steady cash flow to operate. Each passing day without reimbursement makes the situation more precarious.
An even greater concern is a freeze on the development of new agreements for future funding. With the 2025 field season fast approaching, organizations like PNTA are running out of time to finalize budgets and make crucial staffing decisions.
What Can You Do to Help?
Despite these challenges, work will continue. Thanks to support from our members and donors, PNTA will be able to operate at least a skeleton crew this field season. However, whether we can maintain the robust program that the public has come to rely on remains uncertain.
To protect the Pacific Northwest Trail and public lands, here’s how you can help:
Donate. We expect a significant funding shortfall this year due to federal budget constraints. Your support will help us continue our vital work.
Volunteer. Stay tuned for updates on our 2025 volunteer program. Volunteering with PNTA is not only rewarding but more important now than ever.
Advocate. One of the most effective ways to address this crisis is by urging Congress to act.
Use this link to find contact information for your representatives. Calling them is quick and easy. Here’s a sample script you can use:
“Hi, my name is [ ______ ]. I’m a constituent living in [ ZIP code ], and I’m deeply concerned about recent cuts to federal land management staffing at [ name of national forest or park in your district ] and the funding freezes affecting nonprofit partners like the Pacific Northwest Trail Association. As an avid [ hiker, backpacker, hunter, fisher, bird watcher, etc. ], I value well-maintained public lands. I urge [ senator/representative ] to ensure that the federal budget supports these essential services as intended.”
Your voice matters. Together, we can protect our public lands for future generations.
For some recent articles that describe the impacts to land management units along the PNT, click the links below.
Glacier National Park (and other units in Montana), Flathead National Forest, Kootenai National Forest, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Colville National Forest, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, North Cascades National Park (and other WA national parks), Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Olympic National Park and National Forest.