MISSOULA, MT — The recent federal layoffs that have affected Forest Service employees in Montana have sparked widespread concern. Since news of the layoffs broke, efforts have been made to speak with local forest service members, though many have been hesitant to come forward due to fears of retaliation. However, on February 18, one individual, who lost his job in the layoffs, shared his story with MTN News.
Josh Vega, a former U.S. Forest Service (USFS) forestry technician, was one of the thousands of employees laid off last Friday. Vega, who had been working with the Forest Service for nearly four years, expressed his deep disappointment in the loss of his job and what it means for both him personally and for the future of public lands in the region. “I believe public land is essential to who we are as humans,” Vega said. “And to have that taken away from me… it’s devastating.”
Vega’s career with the Forest Service would have marked his fourth year, having spent significant time maintaining trails in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. “We clear and maintain about 1,100 miles of trail with a crew of 15 to 17 people,” Vega explained. Before his time with the Forest Service, Vega had been with the Conservation Corps and worked two years as a seasonal employee. After years of temporary positions, he was thrilled to secure a permanent job that would allow him to provide financial stability during the winter months.
However, Vega’s position was still in a probationary period when the layoffs occurred, resulting in his termination along with many others. “I’ve been grinding to get to where I’m at now for almost a decade, and it’s just been ripped out from underneath me,” Vega shared.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the Forest Service, issued a statement on the layoffs. A spokesperson emphasized that the decision was part of a broader effort to optimize government operations and eliminate inefficiencies. “Secretary Rollins fully supports President Trump’s directive to optimize government operations, eliminate inefficiencies, and strengthen USDA’s ability to better serve American farmers, ranchers, loggers, and the agriculture community,” the statement read. “As part of this effort, USDA has released individuals in their probationary period of employment.”
In his termination email, Vega was informed that he was being let go due to performance issues, a claim that he vehemently disputes. “They’re making it seem like a performance thing, and I’ve got years and years of performance evaluations to back up all of my good work that I’ve been doing,” Vega said, adding that he feels the statement was misleading.
The USDA, for its part, emphasized that it believes in the abilities of its former employees and expressed confidence that those affected by the layoffs will find new opportunities in other sectors. “We are confident that talented individuals who have been affected by this change will have many opportunities to contribute to our economy and society in countless ways outside of government,” the USDA spokesperson said.
Despite these reassurances, Vega worries about the future of the lands he dedicated his career to protecting. “Our public lands are under attack. That’s what it feels like to me,” Vega said, voicing his concerns that fewer staff members will lead to a diminished capacity to care for the wilderness areas. “If I don’t stand up for them, then no one else will,” he added.
The ongoing layoffs have sparked a broader debate over the sustainability of federal land management and the priorities of the current administration. As the USDA continues its push for greater efficiency, many workers like Vega are left questioning whether these cuts could have long-term consequences for the stewardship of America’s public lands.
