Approximately 1,000 National Park Service employees who were previously fired have been reinstated following recent court orders. This includes about eight workers from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and six from Channel Islands National Park. The reinstatement comes after the employees were terminated on February 14 as part of a cost-cutting initiative led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s advisory team, known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The cuts, which targeted probationary employees, affected rangers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other essential personnel. The decision faced widespread opposition, leading to protests and rallies across the country. On March 1, thousands gathered at parks like Joshua Tree and the Santa Monica Mountains to support the fired workers. Another rally, “Protect the Parks,” is planned for Saturday in Calabasas and Ventura.
Theresa Pierno, president of the National Parks Conservation Association, emphasized the public’s love for national parks and the need to protect them for future generations. She stated, “It’s time the administration listened. We won’t stop fighting until these attacks on our national parks come to an end” (Los Angeles Times).
Despite the reinstatement, some employees remain cautious about potential future cuts. Park ranger Lydia Jones, who was reinstated at Badlands National Park, expressed concern but committed to doing her job to the best of her ability as long as she can.
Recent Comments