A Youth Perspective on the Forest Service Staffing Cuts

As you’ve likely heard, the Forest Service has a problem.

The chronically underfunded agency charged with stewarding and managing our national forests has sustained rounds of workforce reductions as part of a widespread effort to trim the fat of the federal government. The Forest Service has lost 25% of its entire workforce nationally, and more cuts are expected. Unfortunately, Washington’s forests have taken an above average hit when it comes to their critical recreation staff. For example, one of my favorite areas - the Enchantments in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness - is down to just one backcountry ranger position ahead of the busy summer season.

As someone who treasures the outdoors as a current member of our Seattle Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC), these workforce reductions make me upset. I’ve spent most of my life going on Mountaineers excursions with my dad, and the outdoors has become extremely special to me. The outdoors is beautiful, fun, meaningful to my family, and full of precious memories -  like backpacking through the Enchantments.

What Washington’s Outdoors Teaches Me

In 2022, my dad and I joined a particularly memorable Mountaineers Jr. MAC trip to the Enchantments during a 2022 heat wave across the Pacific Northwest. The trip was more or less a disaster: the hike was hard, and the heat was extreme. I got nosebleeds, blisters, and burned my hands. Then, to top it all off, when we made it back to the parking lot, we discovered we were locked out of our car. I’ll admit - I started crying at that point. The one thing I had been looking forward to after a laborious backpacking trip of toughing it out was being denied.

I wouldn’t be first in line to sign up for that trip again, but I love those memories and sharing the story of our adventure - one hardship after another. Despite the harsh conditions, I vividly remember finding joy and connection outdoors, talking with my dad and joking around to lift my spirits. The experience taught me the value of perseverance and adaptability.

That trip and those memories perfectly highlight why the outdoors, including our national forests, is important to me. Not only is the outdoors fun and beautiful - it teaches me. Camping, climbing, and hiking encourage me to grow. They require me to problem-solve and push my limits, while bringing me closer to my family. Thanks in part to The Mountaineers, outdoor trips are now prime family bonding time - something we can always connect through, because we’ve spent so much time outdoors together.

Saioa climbing on a Mountaineers trip. Photo courtesy of Saioa Ouyoumjian.

Land Managers Make Our Adventures Possible

I also have The Mountaineers to thank for introducing me to gorgeous places in Washington  and opening my eyes to the work it takes to maintain them. Leavenworth, Vantage, Mazama - these are all places that the recreation community can access safely and sustainably thanks to the critical work of land managers.

The Mountaineers changed my life by introducing me to outdoor recreation, but it was federal land managers - like the staff at the Forest Service - that made all of that possible. Forest Service employees are the ones maintaining trails and campgrounds. They’re the reason we can get outside and have these experiences on public lands in the first place. The Forest Service is vital to everything about the outdoors, and the agency is underfunded and underappreciated.

Without the Forest Service, those wonderful trails and campgrounds won’t be nearly as wonderful - if they stay open at all. And that means the connection I find in the outdoors might not be the same for other outdoor enthusiasts in the future.

What’s more frustrating is that in Washington, there’s more than just a few folks like me who recreate outdoors. The natural world is a place of joy and solace for so many in Washington. Campgrounds and hiking trails are getting used. I and countless others have plenty of memories navigating overgrown trails and messy pit toilets, showcasing just how many people rely on these spaces.

Securing a Better Future for Our Forests

Nature is one of Washington’s biggest draws. That’s why overnight backcountry permits for places like the Enchantments are so difficult to secure. With the Forest Service workforce still on the chopping block, everyone’s going to be impacted. Our outdoor world - the one so many people love - is getting the short end of the stick. I hate that.

I hate that once again, the natural world is being pushed aside. I hate that the people who spend their lives maintaining outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy are getting laid off. I hate what this means for future outdoor trips and adventures.

But I love living in Washington state. I love spending time outside. And I know I’m not the only one.

These Forest Service cuts are a fast-moving issue with a lot of unknowns. But ultimately, we need to help protect these public lands. Everyone who loves the outdoors wants their kids and family to share the same connection. That’s what makes this issue even more important. Forest service cuts  don’t just affect the adults - they affect youth as well.

I want to be able to show my friends why outdoor recreation is important to me. But I know I can’t do that without the Forest Service maintaining public lands.

So please - stay informed, and find ways to help, including recreating responsibly and taking action in support of federal land managers. We all care about the outdoors. We should all try to protect it.

Because it’s worth protecting.

Saioa Ouyoumjian is a current teen member of our Seattle Mountaineers Adventure Club.