Internal Interior Department discussions could lead to changes in federal employee assignments and agency operations, while a newly released wildlife refuge report calls for reducing administrative staffing and shifting resources toward conservation work in the field.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is considering a significant reorganization of the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, potentially changing how two major federal conservation agencies distribute employees, manage regional operations and oversee national parks and wildlife refuges.
Internal Interior Department documents reviewed by The Washington Post indicate that employees from both agencies are scheduled to participate in meetings over the next two weeks concerning what officials describe as a “realignment.” One National Park Service meeting specifically addresses “pending duty station changes,” referring to potential modifications in employees’ assigned work locations.
The documents do not identify which offices or employees might be affected, whether facilities would close or relocate, or whether the restructuring would involve job eliminations. The Interior Department did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment.
The discussions coincide with a separate initiative announced Friday, Nov. 6, aimed at restructuring the National Wildlife Refuge System by transferring administrative resources toward frontline conservation and public access operations.
The Interior Department’s official announcement introduced a report titled “Rooted in Purpose,” containing 29 recommendations for reorganizing refuge management, reducing administrative layers and expanding opportunities for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-related recreation.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also issued a secretary’s order titled “Making America’s National Wildlife Refuges Great Again,” directing the Fish and Wildlife Service to emphasize habitat conservation, active resource management and field-based operations.
The report recommends reducing headquarters and regional management positions while directing more employees and resources toward individual wildlife refuges. Priorities include habitat restoration, facility maintenance, law enforcement, infrastructure improvements and public access.
“Conservation happens on the ground, led by the people closest to our lands and wildlife who know them best,” Burgum said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re cutting red tape and putting resources where they will have the biggest impact. These commonsense recommendations provide a practical path to healthier wildlife habitats, stronger partnerships and more opportunities for Americans to hunt, fish and enjoy the public lands that belong to them.”
The recommendations cover four principal areas: conservation and habitat management, agency organization and public access, maintenance and infrastructure, and administrative support and partnerships.
Among the proposed operational changes are expanded use of prescribed burns, grazing, agriculture, active forest management, invasive species control and predator management where appropriate for individual refuges.
The report also calls for increasing refuge law enforcement staffing, improving coordination on hunting and fishing opportunities, prioritizing essential infrastructure and allowing field offices to share equipment and maintenance crews.
Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik said the recommendations were developed with substantial input from employees and outside organizations.
“Refuge employees know what the land needs and what it takes to get the work done,” Nesvik said. “Their experience shaped this review, and their input will help us put its recommendations into action. We are focused on giving them practical tools and clear guidance to manage habitat, protect wildlife and provide Americans with quality hunting, fishing and other outdoor opportunities.”
The review included 41 in-person refuge visits, 118 virtual visits and four regional office visits. More than 1,000 responses were collected through two internal employee surveys, while an external survey generated more than 2,000 responses.
State governments, tribal representatives, private landowners, conservation organizations, hunting groups, retirees and local communities also contributed to the evaluation.
The Fish and Wildlife Service manages a nationwide refuge network encompassing more than 93 million acres of land, providing protected habitat for wildlife while accommodating compatible public activities.
The proposed restructuring comes as the administration has pursued workforce reductions and administrative changes across federal land management agencies.
The National Park Service has experienced substantial staffing reductions since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, along with funding restrictions that park advocates say have affected visitor services and routine maintenance.
Ed Stierli, vice president of government affairs at the National Parks Conservation Association, told The Washington Post that officials appear to be examining ways to consolidate employees and functions across Interior Department agencies.
“I think from their perspective, it seems as though that they’re trying to find efficiencies by consolidating staff within DOI that maybe served different functions across these agencies,” Stierli said.
The discussions also follow a separate restructuring initiative involving the U.S. Forest Service, which operates under the Agriculture Department rather than Interior. That effort included plans to relocate headquarters operations and consolidate offices, although a federal judge has temporarily halted the reorganization amid legal challenges.
Advocates for national parks have raised concerns about the potential consequences of additional organizational changes, particularly after earlier staffing reductions.
The Interior Department has not publicly detailed whether its contemplated Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service changes would involve similar office consolidations or workforce reductions.
The Fish and Wildlife Service report, meanwhile, establishes a framework for further administrative review rather than immediately implementing every recommendation. Agency officials will identify the offices responsible for carrying out specific proposals and determine the resources and approvals necessary for implementation.
For the National Park Service, the timetable and scope of any restructuring remain unclear beyond the employee meetings identified in the internal documents.
The discussions could ultimately affect how federal conservation agencies allocate personnel between Washington headquarters, regional administrative offices and individual parks or refuges, although no comprehensive restructuring plan has been publicly finalized.
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