“What did you do last week?”
I think pretty much all of you know this, but I’m a federal employee. I have been since I quit my last private sector job as a journalist back in 2019 to serve as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer.
Following my evacuation from Ukraine, I ended up getting a job working as a 1035-series Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Forest Service, housed under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
At the time, I accepted my job thinking it would be temporary until I could head back to Ukraine to finish my Peace Corps service…
…but we all know how that turned out.
And, surprisingly, I ended up loving my job. I’ve been a National Forest-level deputy public affairs officer for a few years now. I get to escort media to wildfires. I get to photograph field work. I get to talk to reporters and members of the public about land management and stewardship. Really, it’s a dream. It’s such a fun job and I am so lucky to have it.
But with all that said, it’s been a really challenging month.
To start, I’ll just put the disclaimer I usually put at the bottom of my work-related posts right here instead:
My views are mine alone and don’t represent those of my employer, agency or the United States government. All photos were taken by me and/or credited photographer unless otherwise noted. You can read more on my disclosure and privacy policy page.
Because a huge portion of my job involves me talking to the media in an official capacity, I’m always a little wary to talk about my job on here unofficially, even if my First Amendment rights allow me to do so as long as I specify that I’m not speaking in an official capacity.
Which — I cannot state enough — I am not.
Anyway, now that we’ve established that I’m speaking to you as Randi, the off-the-clock private U.S. citizen with a constitutionally-guaranteed right to the freedom of speech and not Randi the fed…
I’ve spent most of the past month-plus just kind of… paralyzed. With disbelief, fear, grief.
I’ve alternated between rage, helplessness, anger, sadness, futility.
I haven’t posted much of anything because it feels a bit weird to take to Instagram and like, idk, grovel to strangers on the internet in hopes of keeping my paycheck, but as one friend graciously reminded me, my entire career is built upon public service, and asking the public to stand up for its servants (as a public servant) feels a bit strange.
But, I’ve been seeing a ton of public support all across social media (well, Instagram, which is pretty much all I have left right now) for public lands — which warms my heart! And, as one friend reminded me-
It’s not about me: It’s about our public lands. Once they’re gone, they’ll be damn near impossible to get back.
So, I’m here asking you to stand up and take action to not only protect my job, but also to protect the public lands that I am fortunate enough to play a role in stewarding every goddamn day I show up to work.
For those of you who are unaware, the “HR@OPM” email recently began emailing all federal employees asking for five bullet points listing out things accomplished the prior week.
Basically it’s all giving “you’re not my real dad” vibes.
So, I wanted to take a second to give you five bullet points of things you can do, in support of your public lands and the federal employees who manage them.
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• START CALLING YOUR REPRESENTATIVES. AND KEEP CALLING THEM.
If you haven’t used it, the 5 Calls app makes it easy to reach your members of Congress to relay your concern. (Maybe your reps will actually answer their phones/ return calls? Looking at you, Crane.) 5 Calls lets you pick an issue and enter your address, and it will provide you with contact info for your reps as well as pre-written phone scripts to read.
As an example, here’s the pre-drafted script aimed at spurring action to protect public lands.
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
I’m calling to demand [REP/SEN NAME] to demand oversight hearings to push back on the Trump administration’s efforts to devastate our national parks and public lands under the guise of “cutting costs”. These parks and public lands were already understaffed, and the recent chaotic firings of park workers are dangerous not only to the lands, but the people who enjoy them. It’s inappropriate for the Trump administration to take these dramatic and dangerous actions without any oversight.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.
I contact Kelly, Gallego and Crane multiple times a week.
Lobby the everliving shit out of your reps. Call, email, write, visit in-person: Pressure your electeds to do, idk, literally anything about literally anything?
• VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLAR
Unfortunately, we live in a capitalist system and there isn’t really a way to not participate in it. Our modern world is very tangled and messy, and even our inadvertent actions can have ill consequences.
It’s kind of a tough pill to swallow. Everything has either been bought, or is for sale. There’s no way to be a completely ethical consumer. It’s pretty damn impossible.
And I mean, I’m definitely guilty. I make a small amount of money from the affiliate links I share here on my blog.
But, you can try your hardest, which is all you really can do.
Buy as little as possible. Choose to spend your money at retailers who value people over profits. Shop local, cancel unnecessary subscriptions and stop consuming advertisements. Join buy-nothing groups, host clothing swaps, shop secondhand.
I’ve stopped buying a lot of unnecessary shit over the past few months. I no longer order packages from Amazon, I quit “stopping by” (aka accidentally spending a few bills at) Target and Whole Foods and (maybe the hardest yet) I stopped shopping at REI.
It definitely helps (?) that, like, everything everywhere is now cheaply constructed from plastic and overpriced. Really takes the fun out of shopping and makes me less inclined to buy things when I know they’re all just shitty polyester. Kinda zaps that unboxing dopamine hit real fast.
I’ve always tried my hardest to shop local, frequent co-ops and farmers markets, and buy into CSA shares, and I’ll continue to do that going forward.
Research the places you spend your money at. Figure out who that money is ultimately going to, and what they plan to do with it.
• GO PROTEST
Grab yourself a Sharpie and an old cardboard box/ piece of poster board. Say what you want about protesting and debate about whether it’s effective, it’s definitely cathartic to march down a street and shout your lungs out. It’s a reassuring feeling to know you’re not alone, and there are other U.S. citizens out there fighting for our collective future.
• DONATE AND VOLUNTEER
As our federal employees get terminated and our public lands — including National Parks and National Forests — start to feel the effects of those terminations, things might look a little differently going forward.
If you have a few extra dollars, consider donating to 501(c)3 non-profits. There are so many incredible non-profits you can donate to! Consider National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, Sierra Club or The Nature Conservancy to start.
If you have time to spare, consider volunteering. If you’re here in the Flagstaff/ Sedona areas, my forest works with both Friends of Northern Arizona Forests and Friends of the Forest Sedona. You can also search for National Park volunteer opportunities.
• AND FINALLY… VOTE
First… I’m talking midterms. Check that you’re registered to vote, find your polling location and meet us at the polls next November… if we make it that far.
Second… I’m talking everything else. Vote for your school board, your city council, vote on any and all ballot measures. Vote in primaries and special elections. Hell, you can even vote in the REI board elections. Get out and vote!
VOTE411 is a great resource that allows you to check your ballot in advance to see what issues will be on it so you can do your due diligence and research.
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So, there you go. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll have a job for, but I’m just trying to do what I can. Five bullets in defense of our public lands, which are very much worth preserving and saving.
Get to calling, protesting, donating and voting!
