Dear friends and fellow lovers of the Highlands,

Over many years as a member of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, I’ve seen many battles come and go. But I have not witnessed such a sweeping assault on our public lands as we’re seeing right now. We need all hands on deck—the threat we anticipated has arrived, and it’s not pretty.

You’ve likely seen the headlines about the sudden firings of dedicated employees at the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and other public lands agencies. It’s heartbreaking to learn that among those dismissed were our biologists, park rangers, search and rescue experts, foresters, and researchers—people who have devoted their careers to safeguarding the treasures of our land. Some lost data in the upheaval; in many cases, their expertise was dismissed without evaluation. Just fired.

According to the Washington Post, U.S. District Judge William Alsup ordered OPM to rescind the firings, stating on Feb. 27, 2025, “The Office of Personnel Management does not have any authority whatsoever, under any statute in the history of the universe, to hire and fire employees at another agency….” For now, a three-week stay is in place. We’ll see if it holds.

Firing employees is only one impact of the imminent destruction of our public lands system. We’ve also seen grants for environmental projects canceled, protection standards for land, air, and water rolled back, and the permitting process for mining and drilling fast-tracked. Perhaps the most chilling proposal comes from the House of Representatives, which is considering changes to how public lands are accounted for—making it easier to sell them off.

Our rivers and mountains are more than just scenic wonders; they’re living memories, home to countless species, and vital to our health and heritage. Losing them is a cost we cannot afford to bear.

So, I’m calling on you—our members, supporters, and concerned citizens everywhere—to stand up and speak out. Make those calls. Write those letters and emails. Attend Town Halls when Congress goes into recess on March 15. Share your stories of why our public lands matter. Let our representatives know they’re being watched and that we expect them to protect our collective future.

Meanwhile, the Conservancy continues moving forward with our spring and summer plans. Our new coloring book—celebrating the Highlands’ beauty—is available for purchase on our website. The Dolly Sods Wilderness Stewards are gearing up for a busy season. Our Extractive Industries Committee continues its work on mining-related lawsuits, and we remain committed to defending this place we all love.

But we can’t do it alone. We need every voice and every ounce of courage you can muster. Reach out to me at marilyn.shoenfeld@gmail.com if you have ideas, questions, or just need a word of encouragement. Together, we are a mighty force, capable of turning the tide.

See you in the Highlands!

Marilyn Shoenfeld
President
West Virginia Highlands Conservancy