“I helped with the initial organizing effort at Sequoia and Kings Canyon in 2025. As a biologist, I deeply care about the lands protected by national parks. I also believe the people who take care of these places deserve to thrive. As a Union, we have the power to create meaningful change, and I hope to help amplify the voices of fellow workers across the National Park Service.”
– Rachel Friesen, Interim President
“As Secretary Treasurer, I manage the bank account, reporting on funds going in and out of it. My work with NFFE began when I helped organize Saguaro National Park, voting to unionize in July of 2023. I believe that the working class deserves to have a seat at the table when discussing our own working conditions. No one knows what we need better than we do. I started organizing Saguaro with only that in mind, but as I started talking to folks, I realized that there are in fact issues my coworkers are experiencing that only a Union could really tackle. By combining working class politics with meeting people where they were, we were able to get over 40% of eligible employees to sign on, and shortly thereafter get that vote! Once we get a contract, I will serve as a Lead Steward and keep that contract alive.”
-Josh Maleitzke, Interim Secretary Treasurer
“I believe in the power of community to come together and support each other, during good times and bad. The people I work with are the most passionate, hard working people, protecting resources, and they deserve to be protected too. I’ve joined the Union organizing team to help advocate for and improve working conditions for NPS staff, and to connect people to the information and resources they need to know their rights to negotiate fair working conditions.”
-Anna Puchkoff, Interim Trustee
“As the union’s Recording Secretary, I create and maintain the union’s meeting minutes, notes, and other files. Having our digital resources organized is key to doing our union work efficiently and transparently. I am the Park Archivist for Yosemite, so this is the type of work I do every day! I joined this union because of my love for the National Park Service and for Yosemite, because taking care of our parks also means taking care of our people. Yosemite is one of our nation’s treasures, and the current generation of stewards of this landscape are the most passionate and dedicated people I have ever worked with. I want to make sure that everyone in the NPS has the best workplace possible.”
-Nadia Westenburg, Interim Recording Secretary
“I’ve joined NFFE Local 465 and dedicated my time to help build this union because I believe that as the people who know our parks inside and out, who keep our parks healthy, and who make them run, we deserve a say in our working conditions and how our parks run. I want to make sure that our union acts as a voice to represent the will of our members and to exercise our rights as workers. I also know that when people organize together for the same goal, the possibilities are endless!”
-Claudia Silver, Interim Conductor Sentinel
“Blurb about myself and some other nice things.”
-Steward
“Blurb about myself and some other nice things.”
-Steward
