Mount St. Helens at Risk: What’s Happening & How You Can Help

Mount St. Helens amidst the storm. Photo by volunteer Allen Bennett.

Dear Community,

Mount St. Helens is a place of transformation, resilience, and discovery. Whether you’ve hiked its trails, volunteered, or simply felt inspired by its story, you are part of a community that values and protects this extraordinary landscape.

Today, we’re reaching out to share critical updates about recent federal decisions that could significantly impact both the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and the Mount St. Helens Institute—and how we can stand together to ensure our work continues.

Drastic Cuts to Federal Support & What It Means for the Monument

Recent executive actions have resulted in sweeping staffing cuts across the U.S. Forest Service, including over 3,400 employees fired nationwide. The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument has been hit particularly hard, with a significant number of permanent staff dismissed. Additionally, last fall, the agency announced that no seasonal staff aside from fire personnel will be hired in 2025 or 2026.

While it’s too early to know the full impacts of these cuts, we anticipate challenges in key areas, including:

• Visitor Experience & Safety – With fewer rangers available, visitors may find it harder to get information, access facilities, or receive assistance in case of an emergency. Staff who remain are dedicated and working hard—please be patient and kind.
• Facility & Trail Maintenance – Fewer staff means restrooms may not be cleaned as frequently, trash collection may be delayed, and roads and trails may take longer to repair, making some areas harder to access.
• Scientific Research & Monitoring – Cuts to research staff at both the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Geological Survey mean fewer resources for studying Mount St. Helens' unique ecosystem and volcanic activity.
• Wildfire Prevention & Response – Fire personnel depend on a network of agency staff for logistics and coordination. With fewer team members available, response efforts could be slower, increasing risks to infrastructure and surrounding communities.

Through all of this, we recognize and deeply appreciate the remaining dedicated Forest Service staff who continue working hard to protect and maintain Mount St. Helens. This situation is not their fault, and they need our support.

How This Affects the Mount St. Helens Institute

The Mount St. Helens Institute (MSHI) works in close partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to provide education, volunteer stewardship, and public safety support at the Monument. These federal cuts could significantly impact our work:

• Risk to Our Funding – About 10% of MSHI’s annual budget comes from federal agreements supporting volunteer programs, science education, and public safety. We are preparing for potential gaps.
• Increased Demand on MSHI Volunteer Programs – With fewer federal staff on the ground, MSHI sees the need to step up even more to fill gaps in stewardship, education, and visitor support—requiring additional resources and community engagement.
• Recommitting to Our Mission – We are examining our priorities for 2025 and beyond to ensure we sustain our core programs and address immediate needs at Mount St. Helens. As part of this commitment, we reaffirm our dedication ensuring that our programs, opportunities, and Mount St. Helens itself remain accessible and welcoming to all.

How You Can Help

In this time of change, your support is more critical than ever. Here’s how you can make a difference:

1. Donate – Your gift ensures that MSHI can continue leading education, stewardship, and safety programs, even as federal resources shrink. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Ongoing, sustained support will be essential for the road ahead. DONATE NOW.
2. Contact Your Legislators – Let them know that public lands and the organizations that support them need stable funding and staffing. Find your legislators here.
3. Volunteer – With fewer federal staff, MSHI volunteers will play an even greater role in keeping Mount St. Helens accessible and welcoming to the public. We are accepting volunteers for the 2025 summer season now. Whether you can help on Mount St. Helens or with public lands partners wherever you live, your time and effort make a monumental difference. Apply to volunteer.
    

Staying Informed & Moving Forward Together

This situation is still unfolding, and we are committed to keeping you updated with new developments and their impacts. We also welcome your questions—your engagement and curiosity are invaluable to us.

Mount St. Helens has always been a symbol of resilience—and with your support, we can continue to inspire exploration, curiosity, and stewardship for years to come.

Thank you for standing with us.

With gratitude,

Abigail Groskopf & Alyssa Hoyt
Co-Executive Directors
Mount St. Helens Institute