America's Silent Betrayal
A 2025 Timeline of How Public Lands are Under Attack
PUBLIC LANDS ROUNDUP: THE UNSEEN GOODBYE
Since the start of 2025, public lands across the U.S. have faced policy rollbacks, budget cuts, and staffing cuts. From the introduction of “Unleashing American Energy” in January to the dismantling of environmental protections and critical agency operations, the federal government has moved swiftly to prioritize extraction and development over conservation.
Major staffing changes hit agencies like the National Park Service, BLM, and USFS, with thousands of employees reportedly fired or reassigned, and seasonal hiring temporarily frozen. Spending cuts reduced DOI employee budgets to just $1, basically bringing operations and maintenance to a stop.
March and April have only intensified the pace. Logging expansions were greenlit, national monuments are at risk for reductions, and more than 34 NPS building leases are set to be terminated. A new executive order empowers the Department of Defense to fast-track mineral extraction on federal lands, while the USDA has directed mass-scale logging with no regard for environmental impact. Despite these changes, the DOI Secretary has ordered all National Parks to remain open—raising questions about how they’ll operate safely with reduced budgets and staffing.
It’s only been THREE months and protections are dissolving fast for our public lands. Stay tuned and buckle up — I’m afraid the ride is about to get worse. Keep up the pressure on elected officials and here’s your reminder to give yourself grace. #protectpubliclands
