The Montana Wildlife Federation roots trace back to 1936 when hunters, anglers and other conservationists joined landowners to address the loss of Montana’s natural lands, healthy waters and abundant wildlife. Since then, MWF has championed scientific wildlife management and fought to conserve the great natural resources found in this state and wildlife populations have rebounded. This legacy is maintained through our dedicated staff and volunteers, and our steadfast support of wildlife and habitat professionals within both the public and private sectors.
Federal Workforce Under Attack
Earlier this month, the Montana Wildlife Federation sent a letter to our four-person federal delegation, voicing concern for federal workers, especially those who provide valuable services supporting wildlife, habitat and public access.
ince then, thousands of federal employees have been terminated from key agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and departments that assist farmers, ranchers, veterans, tribes, and rural communities. These are the people who manage our public lands, protect endangered species, restore habitat, and ensure outdoor access for Montanans—and their absence is already having dire consequences.
Fortunately, the judicial branch has intervened in multiple cases, preventing further erosion of federal law, the U.S. Constitution, and the integrity of our public workforce. However, the damage is already being felt on the ground.
Conservation Efforts Stalled
In addition, conservation projects in Montana have already been negatively impacted by the Administration’s freezing of federal funding, in abject contradiction to acts of Congress. Governor Greg Gianforte has issued a statewide temporary stop work order through the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation: 20250211_Temporary Pause on Federally Funded DNRC Projects_Letter (002) (1) (1)
We repeat our call for Montana’s federal legislators to step up, act to protect science and our federal workforce and provide Congressional oversight.
As of February 17—President’s Day—we have only received a response from Senator Steve Daines. His response ignores our concerns about how politicians, unelected billionaires, and their unqualified minions are threatening and bullying federal agencies and federal employees.
MWF’s Four Core Asks of Our Congressional Leadership:
1 Insist that the federal civil service remain non-partisan and that political operatives not be inserted into career civil service positions.
2. Defend the impartiality of public service.
3. Promote a positive work environment where employees are not subject to threats to their employment that have nothing to do with job performance.
4. Conduct appropriate oversight of political or self-dealing tampering with career civil service jobs and hiring and firing of government employees.
Attached is our letter and the Daines response.
We’ll gladly share responses from Senator Sheehy and Representatives Zinke and Downing should we receive them.
MWF letter in support of career federal employees (1)
Contact Montana’s Congressional Delegation:
It is critically important that every one of us who cares about Montana SPEAK UP TO OUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES to help our friends and neighbors who work for agencies and are now being fired and whose careers are at an end. Please call and tell them what you think and ask that they reverse this destruction of our agencies and our Montana way of life.
Senator Steve Daines: 202-244-3121 DC or 406-453-0148 Great Falls
Senator Tim Sheehy: 202-224-2644 DC or 406-452-9587 Great Falls
Representative Ryan Zinke: 202-225-5628 DC or 406-413-6720 Bozeman
Representative Troy Downing: 202-225-3211 DC or in-state 406-413-6720
