The start of the year 2025 has been challenging for those of us working for and in public lands. On Feb. 14, 2025, a "Valentine's Day Massacre" took out nearly 1,000 public lands employees, who were fired, with no notice, during their probationary periods. These employees ARE OUR PEOPLE.
ANPR is here for you. At its February board meeting, ANPR unanimously voted to expand our Employee Natural Disaster Assistance Fund, which was aimed at supporting ANPR members displaced by fires, mudslides, hurricanes and other forces of nature, to include those affected by other forces outside their control, including the recent firings by the current administration. The fund is now called the Ranger Emergency Relief Fund.
If you are an ANPR member who was fired, and even if you have since been brought back on, you are eligible to apply for disaster assistance. We recognize that the upheaval of such actions may have cost you rent on your home, missed bills, travel to wherever you then went, and other unforeseen complications in your day-to-day life.
To apply for financial assistance from ANPR, please fill the form here, which will go to our executive director, Bill Wade. This is a member benefit, and you must be an ANPR member to apply.
If you were part of the Valentine's Day Massacre, and even if you've since re-joined your public land agency, we welcome you with a free one-year membership to ANPR. Learn more about our organization, and what we can do to help support you in your career. Click here to request a free membership. Your subscription will be good for one year from the date of application, and include the online version of our quarterly magazine, Ranger.
If you have any questions, please contact ANPR Executive Director Bill Wade at bwade@anpr.org.