Press Release
For Immediate Release: February 14, 2025
Contact: Ellen Stuart-Haentjens (804) 814-8927
RICHMOND—Yesterday, the U.S. Forest Service informed the union representing that agency’s workers that 3,400 employees (ten percent of their workforce) would soon be terminated across the country. The Forest Service is responsible for managing millions of acres of public lands across Virginia and the United States under a mandate that protects the ecological, economic, and recreation values of our national forests.
In response, the Virginia Wilderness Committee’s Executive Director Ellen Stuart-Haentjens released the following statement:
“This action jeopardizes the many public benefits provided by our National Forests, like clean municipal water, outdoor recreation, and support for local economic development. These lands are held in trust for the common good, and further workforce reductions - particularly as we enter the busiest time of year for the Forest Service - will have real consequences for Virginians who love to hunt, fish, hike, camp, and paddle in our forests.
“The Virginia Wilderness Committee has worked shoulder-to-shoulder with many talented employees of the George Washington-Jefferson National Forest over the years, and we hope to see this action reversed so that we can continue partnering with them on maintaining and improving forest health.”
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Organized in 1969, the Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC) works to permanently protect the best of Virginia's wild places for future generations,foster understanding and appreciation of Wilderness, and promote enjoyment and stewardship of our last remaining wildlands. The Virginia Wilderness Committee is a 501(C)3 non-profit citizens' group.
For Immediate Release: February 14, 2025
Contact: Ellen Stuart-Haentjens (804) 814-8927
RICHMOND—Yesterday, the U.S. Forest Service informed the union representing that agency’s workers that 3,400 employees (ten percent of their workforce) would soon be terminated across the country. The Forest Service is responsible for managing millions of acres of public lands across Virginia and the United States under a mandate that protects the ecological, economic, and recreation values of our national forests.
In response, the Virginia Wilderness Committee’s Executive Director Ellen Stuart-Haentjens released the following statement:
“This action jeopardizes the many public benefits provided by our National Forests, like clean municipal water, outdoor recreation, and support for local economic development. These lands are held in trust for the common good, and further workforce reductions - particularly as we enter the busiest time of year for the Forest Service - will have real consequences for Virginians who love to hunt, fish, hike, camp, and paddle in our forests.
“The Virginia Wilderness Committee has worked shoulder-to-shoulder with many talented employees of the George Washington-Jefferson National Forest over the years, and we hope to see this action reversed so that we can continue partnering with them on maintaining and improving forest health.”
###
Organized in 1969, the Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC) works to permanently protect the best of Virginia's wild places for future generations,foster understanding and appreciation of Wilderness, and promote enjoyment and stewardship of our last remaining wildlands. The Virginia Wilderness Committee is a 501(C)3 non-profit citizens' group.
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