The five-week government shutdown was not like anything we have experienced before. It was a trying time for many Forest Service employees and their families and, yet, we made it through, together.
On behalf of the Forest Service employees, I want to thank you, our communities, for your outpouring expressions of care and concern for our federal workforce.
It is heartwarming and humbling to know that you saw beyond the “workforce,” to see the people and the lives affected, and you reached out to make us one with you.
Times like this accentuate the importance of shared stewardship of public lands with local communities.
We are grateful for our partners who continued our shared conservation work in our absence and also offered their help and support throughout the shutdown.
During the five weeks of the shutdown, I heard of many extraordinary offers from private citizens, businesses and other providers towards the well-being of our employees.
We are also appreciative of how the media carried on our conservation conversation on social media, TV and the newspapers.
As community members, our shared values connect us and we strive to be good neighbors and to reciprocate kindness and availability in times of need.
We thank you wholeheartedly for the outpouring of support, and we look forward to continuing our conservation mission with you in the future.
Kara Chadwick, San Juan National Forest supervisor
Durango
