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When the U.S. Forest Service’s budget shrinks, who pumps campground toilets?

Nov 11, 2024
The U.S. Forest Service is likely facing half a billion dollars in budget cuts from Congress. This means the federal agency will have less money and staff for maintaining public lands. In western Wyoming, a nonprofit is helping fill the gaps.
The freshly cleaned public toilets at a campground on the Bridger-Teton. This is an annual check list item that keeps the toilets usable for visitors. 
Caitlin Tan

How the budget fight in Congress threatens federal wildland firefighters' pay

Feb 21, 2024
Federal firefighters make as little as $15 an hour. A permanent boost has bipartisan support, but it’s tied up in Congress' budget fight.
Federal firefighters starting out in their careers may earn as little as $15 an hour.
Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images

When prescribed burns spiral into devastating wildfires, who pays the price?

Oct 21, 2022
A prescribed burn that went awry in New Mexico has some questioning the value of the practice, but scientists say we need prescribed burns more than ever because of climate change.
A scorched structure and vehicle stand on a property mostly destroyed by the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire on June 2 near Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

U.S. Forest Service is short thousands of firefighters amid pay raise delay

May 10, 2022
With a pay raise funded by the infrastructure bill stuck in bureaucratic morass, the agency is struggling to staff up to the full force it needs.
Many firefighters have sounded alarms about crews and forests being critically short-staffed, even as they prepare for what is expected to be another challenging summer.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Prescribed burns can help reduce wildfire threat in the West

Nov 17, 2021
Managed burns take communication between federal officials and locals.
A U.S. Forest Service truck drives along a dirt road in the Albion Mountains in southern Idaho. Prescribed burns in the area can reduce overgrown vegetation that’s crowding out the iconic aspen tree.
Madelyn Beck/Mountain West News Bureau.

Who pays for California's wildfires?

Oct 28, 2019
Multiple wildfires continue to burn in California, prompting evacuations, preventive power outages and a scramble for funds to pay to fight the fires.
A home burns during the deadly 2018 Camp fire in Northern California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A city earns revenue from not cutting its timberland

Nov 12, 2015
A trust selling carbon credits pays Astoria, Oregon, to harvest less timber.

For public good, not for profit.

A new designation for the San Gabriel Mountains

Oct 10, 2014
President Barack Obama will declare it a national monument on Friday.