In recent months, sweeping changes to the federal workforce have been underway, driven by the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.
While much of the focus has been on Washington, D.C., the effects are being felt much closer to home, including right here on the Gulf Coast.
Gulf Coast News reviewed the DOGE website, which lists upcoming federal office closures, and found that the National Park Service office on Horseshoe Drive in Naples is scheduled to shut its doors by the end of August.
During a visit to the Naples NPS office, reporter Alex Howard met Joe Jarquin, a former park ranger and current cartographer for the National Park Service. Jarquin, aware of the risks of speaking out, agreed to share his perspective on how the federal changes are impacting local operations — and the future of conservation work.
"I’m concerned, honestly," Jarquin said. "I have the right as an American to speak out. We’re protected from retaliation as federal workers, but that doesn’t mean it doesn't happen. I'm nervous, but it’s important to say something — no one else wants to, so here I am."
According to Jarquin, employees first learned about the office closure through the DOGE website, not from official internal communication.
"My admin guy found it and said, 'Hey, everyone, come look at my monitor,'" he said.
Having worked nearly a decade with the Department of the Interior, Jarquin saw signs early in the year that changes were coming, citing the influence of the controversial "Project 2025" federal workforce plan. Despite participating in productivity assessments — often submitting weekly lists of accomplishments — he said there was little feedback or indication about the future of the office.
"We even looked into bringing other federal employees into the building just to make a stronger case to keep it open," Jarquin said.
Now facing eviction from the Naples office, Jarquin’s future remains uncertain. Without the option to work remotely, he could be forced to relocate as far away as Atlanta to continue his work, or potentially find a workspace closer to home at nearby federal sites like Big Cypress or Everglades City.
But Jarquin emphasized that this isn't just about his job — it’s about the mission of the National Park Service and the communities they serve. The Naples office plays a vital role in protecting local parks and preserving surrounding land from development.
"The idea is to conserve and preserve our natural and cultural resources," Jarquin said. "We want our children and grandchildren to experience these places as they are today, not surrounded by condos and hotels."
The work Jarquin and his team perform — acquiring privately owned land around national parks — is crucial to preserving Florida’s natural beauty, especially amid the state’s rapid development. Without a local office managing these efforts, there’s a real concern that vulnerable lands could fall into the hands of developers instead of being protected for future generations.
"If you think of a park you love — like the Grand Canyon or Arches — imagine a neighborhood being built right next to it," he said. "We buy land around parks to protect scenic views, ecosystems, and cultural sites."
With a hard deadline of Aug. 31 to vacate the building, Jarquin remains hopeful that a solution can be found.
"Call me, bring me on," he said passionately. "I’ve been boots on the ground — in Iraq, Japan, and here in America with the Marine Corps. I know how to get things done. I just want people to have jobs, and I want Americans to experience the great outdoors."
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