sedona news – In September 2024, the U.S. Forest Service announced a budget shortfall of approximately $750 million. One of the corrective measures enacted by the agency was a nationwide moratorium on hiring seasonal workers.

In the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District, 411 miles of car-free recreational trails are maintained by 16 seasonal staff members and are supported by Friends of the Forest members and citizens during public volunteer days. I also receive support.

The seasonal crew consists of trained workers who reside in the Red Rock Ranger District from October to the end of April each year. They work under the supervision of a resident USFS crew chief. At the end of the season, individual workers move on to assignments in other national forests or other seasonal employment. Many people return to the Red Rock area every year.

Seasonal workers in the district are typically employed directly by the USFS, and are largely supported by funds provided by the nonprofit Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund (SRTRTF). Collection agreements with federal agencies allow the nonprofit SRRTF to raise funds specifically for trail systems in the Sedona and Oak Creek Village areas. This arrangement has enabled trail maintenance and responsible management of the forest for the past decade.

Just weeks before the work season begins, the USFS makes the decision to suspend hiring of all seasonal workers for 2025, and dispersed workers arrive in the Verde Valley for a six-month vacation. I was effectively furloughed just as I was preparing to do this. Many are trained in skills specific to the Red Rock environment. Without warning, they had to regroup to find other work and housing.

Five crews were employed prior to the enactment of the new policy, although the Forest Service was found to not allow exceptions where full funding is provided by external sources such as the SRRTF.

SRTF Chairman Dick Williams said, “When this decision was made, the Trail Fund Board committed to helping the Red Rock Ranger District salvage a much-needed labor season, come hell or high water. It further strengthened our resolve to do so.” As the SRRTF board sought a solution, the possibility of hiring workers to a third party and “loaning” them to the district through a volunteer service agreement came up.

The concept appeared to meet USFS regulations, and SRRTF had the resources to fund the workers. However, SRRTF lacked the personnel and business structure to become an employer.

Another Verde Valley nonprofit, Wheel fun, offered to help. Their mission is to provide free programs and mountain biking to children of various socio-economic backgrounds, races, and identities. Taking kids outdoors on mountain bikes requires safe and accessible trails. The Wheel Fun Board of Directors has a great deal of gratitude for maintaining the extensive Red Rock Trail System. Wheel Fun has significant business structures in place and has offered to partner with the employer.

Within days, a deal was signed between the two nonprofit boards in which Wheel Fun would hire and manage the workers, and SRRTF would cover the $360,000 cost of the 24/25 season. .

With the methods and funding in place, USFS staff began operations in earnest, working around the clock to contact as many original crew members as possible and recruit others to complete the crew. I worked at Until December 4th^th,A seasonal crew of 13 supported by the SRTF was deployed.

SRTF Chairman Dick Williams said: “This remarkable feat is a Christmas miracle of dedication and cooperation.” He explains: Seasonal workers remained calm and patient, jumping onto the scene as quickly as possible to make up for a slow start. This would not have been possible without the long-standing partnership between USFS and SRRTF and a generous community of individual donors, corporations, and grantmakers who provide us with the means to tackle and solve unforeseen and difficult problems. Sho. ”