Washington, DC – February 14, 2025 -National Wildlife Refuge Association is deeply alarmed by today’s Interior Interior (DOI) overviews of approx. 370 US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Employees, many of whom are critical of the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System). These layoffs, which are disproportionately targeted at biologists and professionals in natural resources, are a direct attack on science -based preservation and the future of America’s wildlife.
According to reports, these attitudes were considered “not in the public interest” by DOI – an assertion that basically ignoring the role these professionals play in protecting and restoring our country’s wildlife and wild places.
This sweeping, mass cloud comes at a time when the refugee system is already struggling with a decimated workforce. Today’s cuts will further destroy the agency’s ability to protect and deal with America’s 573 national wildlife refluates spanning 95 million acres, 750 million hectares of marine habitat and supporting countless species, many of which are keystone species, pollinators and other crucial to agriculture and health in ecosystems.
“Losing these many dedicated employees at once is a particularly devastating blow to conservation efforts nationwide and a intentional dismantling of science,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “The National Wildlife Refuge System was Aleady Subturn and Understaffed. The People Being Fired Today Are The Backbone of Wildlife Protection In This Country. Without Them, Habitats Will Degrade, Endangered Species Will Go Unmonitored, Trails Will Remain Unmaintained, And Visitors WILL Environmental Education and Recreation Opportunities.
Reports show that the agency for hiring new employees will be obliged to eliminate four current positions for each new rent – a policy that will only aggravate the staffing crisis of the refugee system.
The Refuge Association calls on the Ministry of the Interior and Congress for immediate steps to prevent further damage to the refuge system and to turn the course and restore these positions and critical staff and financing for the preservation of wildlife. Our organization, together with our partners, refugees groups and refugee and advocates, calls for decision makers to prioritize the protection of the dedicated professionals who protect our country’s wildlife. The public must speak before more damage to our country’s most valued wild places is done.
For more information on how to support our efforts, you can visit Refuge Association.org.
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As the independent voice advocating on behalf of the National Wildlife Refuge System, protects, promotes and improves the National Wildlife Refuge Association and improves America’s wildlife heritage through strategic programs serving the system and wildlife beyond its borders. The organization addresses the refuge system’s funding, management and strategic growth while promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.
For all media inquiries and questions, contact Eden Taylor, Director of Communication and Marketing at etaylor@refugeassociation.org.