Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Shutdown leaves public lands open but underserved
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Lmuma Creek Recreation Site; Source: BLM Oregon/Flickr ([link removed])
While the Trump administration leaves national parks open and understaffed during the government shutdown, millions of acres of other public land also technically remain open, but visitors should expect fewer services, according to federal contingency plans for the Bureau of Land Management ([link removed]) and U.S. Forest Service ([link removed]) .
The BLM is furloughing 2,400 of its 9,250 employees. Those involved in fire suppression, law enforcement, and emergency response will continue working. Some BLM campgrounds and visitor sites will remain open, but restrooms, trash collection, and water services may not be maintained ([link removed]) . Campground reservations aren’t guaranteed, and volunteers are barred from helping out during the shutdown. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has also ordered BLM staff ([link removed]) that handle oil and gas permits and inspections to continue working.
“(Interior Secretary Doug Burgum) is trying to have it both ways and give oil and gas companies even more permits to drill while the government is shut down,” said ([link removed]) Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities.
The U.S. Forest Service will furlough 13,000 of its 32,000 employees. It will also close hundreds of remote recreation sites and reduce access elsewhere. Remaining staff will focus on ([link removed]) wildfire management and safety, while prescribed burns, restoration projects, and grants for wildfire preparedness are delayed. Logging operations, however, will continue ([link removed]) .
Interactive map highlights effects of staffing cuts on national parks
An interactive map ([link removed]) created by Save Our Parks ([link removed]) highlights how President Donald Trump's staffing cuts at the National Park Service, which has lost a quarter of its staff ([link removed]) since February, are affecting NPS sites across the country. The map ([link removed]) divides the impacts into categories, including: education and visitor services, emergency response, campgrounds and trails, and facilities and maintenance.
** Quick hits
------------------------------------------------------------
Rocky Mountain National Park remains open despite government shutdown
Denver Post ([link removed])
Opinion: Defend the sacred heart of Arizona—public lands
Arizona Daily Star ([link removed])
National parks open with limited staff. Oil and gas permitting to continue apace
Public Domain ([link removed])
Yellowstone, Grand Teton ordered to remain partly open as government shutdown begins
WyoFile ([link removed])
Message on USFS website blames ‘radical left Democrats’ for government shutdown
The Oregonian ([link removed])
Column: LWCF is a bargain for Montana, so why is Daines silent?
Flathead Beacon ([link removed])
The state halted proposed migration safeguards for Wyoming Range mule deer 6 years ago. Are protections coming?
WyoFile ([link removed])
Will the public-lands coalition hold?
High Country News ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
------------------------------------------------------------
” I don’t believe that the existence of public lands is inherently political, and I think this whole process bears out that the public at large deeply cares for their public lands and wants to be able to have access to those lands.”
—David Willms, the National Wildlife Federation’s associate vice president for public lands, High Country News ([link removed])
** Picture This
------------------------------------------------------------
@resistancerangers ([link removed])
As you've no doubt seen by now, the US government has shut down.
When parks have stayed open in past shutdowns, there are fewer rangers around to protect the resources. This has led to vandalism of iconic symbols, destruction of wildlife habitat and dangerous situations for visitors.
As a reminder- this is why parks need rangers. Without rangers, we cannot protect these incredible places, histories, and resources we've been tasked to protect. Without rangers, parks suffer.
So- if you have plans to visit a National Park site- even if the website says it’s open- please, don't. The best thing you can do for parks right now is to stay away. This is a great chance to visit local and state parks!
Many of us have worked a shutdown before, and we know first hand the damage it causes. That's not to say that anyone will be able to get away with mischief or shenanigans- we have law enforcement rangers watching out to protect the parks 🧐
Rangers- a link in our bio points you to shutdown resources and information.
Supporters of rangers- a link in our bio points you to a link to pressure Congress to not do a Reduction of Force on the Department of the Interior and the NPS. Please please help us share and spread the word!
============================================================
** Website ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** TikTok ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
Copyright © 2025 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.
Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
