Sierra Club Sues DOGE Over Mass Firings of Park and Forest Service Workers
Last week, the Sierra Club filed a joint lawsuit against Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) asking to reinstate the 4,400 federal jobs between the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service (NPS). The environmental organization is joined by the Union of Concerned Scientists, Organization of Chinese Americans, and Japanese American Citizens League claiming that Musk and DOGE violated the law by “acting beyond their power” by overstepping Congress and directing agencies as an unelected or confirmed federal official.
“Without the workers to staff and support our public lands, communities will face more dangerous and deadly fires, park visitors will face unsafe conditions, and local economies that rely on national parks will struggle,” Ben Jealous, Executive Director of the Sierra Club, stated in a press release announcing the lawsuit. “Only Trump and Musk would try to threaten America’s best idea. We are taking DOGE to court to defend Americans’ ability to safely and freely access the landscapes that unite us.”
According to the Sierra Club, the negative effects of President Trump’s federal funding cutbacks, canceled contracts, and employee cuts can already be felt in our national parks and forests. The organization says reductions in funding and staff affect visitor safety, wildlife conservation, natural disaster prevention, and maintenance on public lands.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy Celebrates 100th Anniversary
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is celebrating its 100th year as the only nonprofit devoted exclusively to protecting, managing, and advocating for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The organization was started on March 3, 1925, when the Federation of Parks and Planning and the Regional Planning Association of America called the first Appalachian Trail Conference of like-minded groups to help create a continuous hiking trail from Georgia to Maine. Once the trail was established, the Conference became the Conservancy and has been working for the trail ever since.
“I’m so proud of all the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has accomplished in 100 years, from leading the building and connecting of the Trail, to expanding conservation for the broader landscape and natural habitats,” Sandi Marra, ATC President and CEO, stated in a press release. “Yet in the face of escalating threats that jeopardize the A.T.’s future, the Conservancy’s efforts are more crucial than ever. The ATC is the sole unifying entity able to bring together the resources, expertise, private and public partners, and thousands of volunteers necessary to ensure the Trail is always protected, resilient, and connected for all.”
The ATC’s Centennial Celebration will take place throughout the year at a variety of events, starting April 25-27 at the Flip-Flop Kickoff—featuring hiking workshops and pack shakedowns— for thru-hikers beginning flip-flop journeys near the organization’s headquarters in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. For more information and additional events visit keepthetrailalive.org.
Cover photo: Courtesy of Getty Images by Paul Hamilton
