Mojave Desert Land Trust deeply concerned over federal staff firings

Federal firings in the last week have included approximately 2,300 employees at the Department of the Interior, with 800 staff at the Bureau of Land Management and 1,000 staff at the National Park Service. A further 3,000 U.S. Forest Service employees were laid off.

Kelly Herbinson, Executive Director, Mojave Desert Land Trust:

“The Mojave Desert Land Trust strongly opposes the Trump Administration’s decision to fire thousands of employees serving our public lands. These actions put landscapes at risk that are championed and beloved by our communities and visitors alike. They exacerbate long-standing funding and staffing shortages for our nation’s public lands. We are deeply saddened by the toll this action is taking on morale among federal employees who have dedicated their careers to preserving this country’s most treasured landscapes.” 

“The loss of experienced staff in these positions will negatively impact protected habitat in the long-term. The lack of adequate staffing will make it extremely difficult to mitigate visitor interaction with the fragile desert ecosystem and at-risk species such as the Joshua tree and the Endangered Mojave desert tortoise. An increase in illegal off-trail recreation, trash build-up, deferred maintenance, wildfire mitigation, and the lack of restrooms are among the serious concerns, as evidenced in past government shutdowns.”

“Staffing at Joshua Tree National Park was already operating at reduced capacity. The absence of these permanent staff could lead to lower collected revenue. While visitation has risen to National Park Service units over the last decade, appropriate funding has not followed. Seasonal employees will not be a solution to this public lands crisis.”

“Over the course of the last 18 years, MDLT has closely collaborated with the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management in our shared mission of conserving public lands through land acquisition, stewardship, native plant conservation, and education. Since its founding in 2006, MDLT has conserved over 125,000 acres, conveying more tracts of land to the National Park Service than any other nonprofit.”

The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to protect and care for lands with natural, scenic, and cultural value within the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. Since its founding in 2006, MDLT has conserved over 125,000 acres, conveying more tracts of land to the National Park Service than any other nonprofit. MDLT established a conservation seed bank to ensure the preservation of native species, which today houses over 900 seed collections. MDLT operates an onsite nursery at its Joshua Tree headquarters which has grown over 120,000 native plants for restoration projects and community landscaping. MDLT educates and advocates for the conservation of the desert, involving hundreds of volunteers in our work.