Federal workforce reductions are disrupting environmental and cultural preservation efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with key staff positions eliminated and critical projects facing uncertainty. On Saturday, about 20 federally employed and recently laid-off workers gathered outside the Christiansted National Historic Site on St. Croix to protest widespread terminations affecting agencies such as the National Park Service and NOAA.
Among those protesting was Pardis Zahedi, a cultural heritage specialist who was among 1,000 National Park Service employees terminated on February 14. Zahedi, who has lived on St. Croix for five years, said these cuts threaten the preservation of historical sites, environmental protections, and access to public resources. She noted that biologists, historic preservationists, and park staff—many working directly in the Virgin Islands—were among those impacted.
The V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ Division of Fish and Wildlife has also lost four key personnel and contractors, creating additional challenges for local conservation efforts. Division Director Nicole Angeli confirmed that among those dismissed was the only U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services employee stationed in the USVI. That individual played a role in ensuring that federally funded construction projects, such as ongoing work at the Vincent Mason Pool, complied with environmental regulations protecting species like sea turtles and lizards.
In particular, one of the recently laid-off Fish and Wildlife staff members had been directly involved in formulating the conservation plan for the endangered St. Croix ground lizard, a species that disappeared due to habitat loss and the introduction of predators like the small Indian mongoose. Today, it survives only on four offshore cays—Green Cay, Ruth Cay, Buck Island and Protestant Cay, home to Hotel on the Cay, which has been undergoing renovations.
Conservationists had been working on a protection plan to ensure that development does not further threaten the lizard’s fragile habitat, according to officials, with landscaping and changes to vegetation making those efforts even more critical.
Federal workforce reductions have added another layer of uncertainty. While it is unclear what effect the staffing reductions may have on the permitting process, senators have raised concerns over the project’s stalled progress during recent hearings.
These challenges are part of a larger trend, as federal workforce reductions continue to impact agencies responsible for environmental protection, climate research, and historic preservation nationwide. The Environmental Protection Agency has experienced staff reductions affecting pollution regulation and climate monitoring, while NOAA’s workforce cuts have raised concerns about the agency’s ability to provide accurate weather forecasting and environmental data. Meanwhile, layoffs at the National Park Service have sparked uncertainty over park staffing and maintenance efforts.
Zahedi and other protesters on St. Croix say they are seeking reinstatement and urging decision-makers to ensure that federal funding allocated for these agencies is released. They emphasized that without experienced professionals in place, the long-term preservation of both natural and cultural resources in the Virgin Islands remains at risk.
Meanwhile, Angeli and other local agency leaders continue to assess next steps, but with staffing shortages and funding limitations, conservation and environmental monitoring efforts in the territory could face ongoing challenges, officials said.
