It’s one thing to leave your job by choice; it’s another to be forced out by those who don’t understand the value of public service
By Benjamin Alva Polley EBS COLUMNIST
Several years after high school, I felt a compelling call to serve my country and make a positive difference. While many chose the armed forces, I sought an alternative route. I joined the California Conservation Corps as part of the Americorps Backcountry Trails Program, embarking on an incredible six-month journey in northern California. Alongside 25 passionate co-eds, I learned the art of building trails while living in a community committed to making nature accessible for everyone. This marked my first genuine job in service of the greater good.
Envision a career where your daily commute is a scenic hike, where you’re greeted by the unfolding beauty of nature and the invigorating mountain air. This was not just a job, but a dream job, with an ever-changing office view and a serene, natural backdrop.
Inspired by my transformative experience in the Trinity Alps, I worked seasonally in Glacier National Park, Texas’ Big Bend National Park, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. From 2002 until 2011, I returned to Glacier each summer to work on trail crews, dedicating my winters to wildlife studies, carpentry and furthering my education at the University of Montana.
However, in 2011, I decided it was time to move on. I chose to be a fire lookout, despite a huge pay cut, scanning the terrain for fire and smoke. In 2012, I achieved that dream, spending over 70 days straight at 8,800 feet and immersing myself in the breathtaking beauty of the wilderness. Over the following years, I served as a ranger, worked on trail crews, mapped out soils and volunteered at a remote ranger station, all while emphasizing education and dedication to preservation.
In just the past week, 360 people in Montana lost their positions at the USFS. Many of these individuals, who could have pursued more lucrative careers, sacrificed financial rewards for the honor of serving their communities and preserving our natural heritage. They are our faithful civil servants who care for this country.
Now, I must assert that my work was never just a job; it was a profound commitment to a cause greater than myself. As caretakers and stewards of our public lands, we embody the privilege and honor of protecting these lands for future generations. The immense responsibility of overseeing vast landscapes demands courage and vitality as we face the unpredictable challenges of nature. Our commitment extends to safeguarding the land and providing a home for its wildlife—grizzlies, mountain lions, wolves and wolverines alike—a world fast disappearing. Protecting our public lands is not merely a duty; it is an urgent necessity that transcends individual ambition.
Today, my heart aches for the thousands of dedicated federal workers who are being laid off, with the true extent of the devastation still coming to light. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management reports that up to 220,000 employees from a workforce of 2.3 million could face job loss. Already, 2,300 workers from the Department of the Interior—including 800 from the BLM and 1,000 from the National Park Service—have been discarded like expendable resources. The U.S. Forest Service has cut 3,400 jobs. In just the past week, 360 people in Montana lost their positions at the USFS. Many of these individuals, who could have pursued more lucrative careers, sacrificed financial rewards for the honor of serving their communities and preserving our natural heritage. They are our faithful civil servants who care for this country.
Is cutting jobs in these vital departments indeed the solution? Studies show that between 1995 and 2017, the U.S. Forest Service lost nearly a quarter of its workforce from internal cuts. This department is not a growing burden on taxpayers but rather a critical service that deserves support. The National Park Service generates most revenue through entrance and campground fees. Is the current administration genuinely saving anything by slashing these jobs? Or is this merely a tactic to create a narrative that federal land management agencies lack the resources to protect our lands, paving the way for potential land transfers to states? But let’s be clear—states often lack the capacity to manage these lands, too, which leaves them vulnerable to sale to wealthy corporations and billionaires.
This is far more than an abstract issue; these ruthless policies directly affect rural communities that rely on the Forest Service and BLM for their livelihoods. Many of these workers cast their votes for Trump, perhaps believing in a promise of better days, but are now being blind-sided by unexpected attacks on their public lands.
These ruthless characters wield power over people’s lives as if they were pieces in a chess game. But we are not pawns for their schemes or plans; we are vital contributors to the fabric of our society. They betray their claim as saviors after igniting the flames of devastation, pushing toward the privatization of our cherished public lands that truly make America great.
Mark Twain was once questioned about his loyalty. He boldly stated, “My loyalty is to one’s country, not its institutions or officeholders. The country is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing, the thing to watch over and care for. The institutions are extraneous. There it is mere clothing. Clothing can wear out, cease to be comfortable, and cease to protect the body from winter, disease, or death. To be loyal to rags, to shout for rags, to die for rags is the loyalty of unreason.”
Now, more than ever, we must stand firm in our commitment to protecting our public lands and fight against the privatization that threatens the very heart of our national identity. Regardless of our political affiliations, let’s unite for the greater good, advocate for those who protect our invaluable resources, and ensure that our natural treasures endure for generations. Together, we can make a difference. This is not a bipartisan issue but one that affects us all equally. We all need a healthy environment.
Benjamin Alva Polley is a place-based storyteller. His stories have been published in Audubon, Esquire, Field & Stream, The Guardian, Outside, Popular Science, Sierra, and other publications on his website. He holds a master’s in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism from the University of Montana. Follow him on Instagram.
