Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** USDA lost over 20,000 workers in the first half of 2025
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Tuesday, December 23, 2025
U.S. Forest Service hotshot crew in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California. Photo: USFS/Kai Funk ([link removed])

A new report from the USDA’s Office of Inspector General ([link removed]) shows the USDA lost over 20,000 employees between January and June 2025, nearly one-fifth of its total workforce. The vast majority of these departures were driven by ([link removed]) the Trump administration's "deferred resignation" program that used buyouts to incentivize employees to leave the federal government.

The U.S. Forest Service was the hardest hit ([link removed]) of all the USDA departments, losing 5,860 employees, or approximately 16 percent of its total workforce. Similarly, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which provides conservation planning for Western ranchers and farmers, lost 2,673 employees, 22 percent of its staff.

Because the report only covers the first half of 2025, the true scale of attrition is likely far higher. In July, the Trump administration announced a reorganization ([link removed]) to relocate many Washington, D.C. staff to five locations around the country. The administration is also considering moving ([link removed]) the U.S. Forest Service to Salt Lake City, which would likely trigger another wave of resignations from an already depleted agency.

Happy holidays from the Center for Western Priorities

The Center for Western Priorities team is taking a holiday break. Look West will return to your inbox on January 5. See you in the new year!


** Quick hits
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Betty Reid Soskin, nation's oldest active park ranger, passes away at 104

National Parks Traveler ([link removed]) | People ([link removed]) | Gear Junkie ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | CNN ([link removed]) | Politico ([link removed]) | Outside ([link removed])

USDA lost more than 20,000 employees this year, internal watchdog finds

E&E News ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed])

Trump admin pauses leases for offshore wind projects citing 'national security concerns'

ABC ([link removed]) | CBS ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Reuters ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) | NOTUS ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | The Guardian ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed])

Why the EPA’s rule change on water protections would be a disaster for fish and wildlife

Outdoor Life ([link removed])

Cleanup continues in Colorado after train derails into Gunnison River, spills over 8,000 gallons of fuel

CBS News ([link removed])

A wildfire is coming for electricity bills

Heatmap ([link removed])

Western leaders demand probes into wildfire mitigation cuts

KNAU ([link removed])

Could rescinding the Roadless Rule make it harder to delist Yellowstone grizzlies?

Inside Climate News ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” When I’m on the streets or on an escalator or elevator, I am making every little girl of color aware of a career choice she may not have known she had.”

— America's oldest national park ranger, Betty Reid Soskin, in a 2015 Interior department interview, New York Times ([link removed])


** Picture This
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[link removed]

@nationalparkservice ([link removed])
Betty Reid Soskin, the trailblazing National Park Service ranger who became the oldest active ranger in the United States until her retirement at age 100, passed away peacefully Sunday morning at her home in Richmond, California, surrounded by family. She was 104.

During her time with the National Park Service, Betty made significant contributions to the development of Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. She was a powerful voice for sharing her personal experiences, highlighting untold stories, and honoring the contributions of women from diverse backgrounds who worked on the World War II Home Front.

Thank you for your service, Ranger Betty.

Images: Ranger Betty Reid Soskin in front of the Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center; closeup of Soskin’s uniform name bar. NPS/Luther Bailey @rosietheriveternps

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