The National Science Foundation (NSF) has laid off 168 employees, representing approximately 11% of its staff, following directives from the Trump administration. This decision is part of broader budget cuts and layoffs impacting various federal agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which have similarly dismissed hundreds of workers. The cuts have raised concerns about the future of wildlife refuges and other services, particularly in regions like Southwest Louisiana, where local wildlife management is already under strain. Officials have expressed that they have exhausted all other options for budget reductions before resorting to layoffs.