Terry Zink is a third-generation Montanan who hunts big game and also owns an archery target business. He’s vocal about protecting public lands and also the staff at those agencies. “We have to listen to our wildlife biologists. We have to be strong advocates for those people,” Zink said in an interview with Politico.
Zink’s story is just one example of how the DOGE cuts to public lands agencies are hitting rural Montana and the people whose way of life and livelihood depend on access to public lands. Those agencies are often the primary employers in rural communities adjacent to public lands. “You cannot fire our firefighters. You cannot fire our trail crews. You have to have selective logging, and water restoration, and healthy forests,” Zink said.
Since February, an estimated 5,200 people have been terminated from the agencies that manage the 640 million acres of national public lands in the U.S. That number doesn’t include the many who took the administration’s buyout or early retirement offers. President Donald Trump’s 2026 budget proposes a reduction of nearly 18,500 more public lands employees in addition to crippling budget cuts.
Quick hits
Rural Montana communities reject DOGE cuts to public lands
Ex-Nevada water chief on Colorado River deadlock: ‘Nobody is the enemy’
Repeal of resource management plans will affect millions of acres of public lands
Tribal nations regroup after loss of federal funding for clean energy
Reward offered for person accused of stealing human skull from ancient Utah burial site
New Mexico senators request funds to clean up post-fire public lands
Colorado BLM escalates the size of oil, gas lease sales
Worries of public lands selloff return
Quote of the day
Our goal is really simple, that we won’t let any tribal project die on our watch because funding was frozen.”
—Chéri Smith, CEO of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, Utility Dive
Picture This
On the 3rd day of Public Lands, BLM brings you… the breathtaking Chemehuevi Mountains! 🎶
Nestled just 10 miles southeast of Needles, California, these mountains offer thrilling outdoor activities and serene spots for solitude. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or simply soaking in the views, always pack it in, pack it out!
📸Jesse Pluim
Featured image: Hunting at Upper Missouri River Breaks, Montana. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.