Do you enjoy visiting National Parks?
How about recreating in National Forests, State Parks or on federally protected land?
Then this message is for you.
According to reports released on Friday, February 14th, the US Forest Service is laying off almost 3,400 recent hires and the National Park Service is terminating about 1,000 positions under Donald Trump’s push to decrease federal spending.
These cuts represent about 10% of the Forest Service workforce and about 5% of National Park Service employees.
You might be asking why this is problematic, as federal funding is at an all time high and cuts have to be made somewhere right?
I believe that federal funding must be looked at in general, but I do not think cutting funds to these services is where the need lies.
In a statement released by the National Park Conservation Association (NPCA), as of last year the staffing levels were not keeping pace with the increasing demands on the national park system which saw 325 million visitors in 2023, an increase of 13 million visitors from 2022.
Staffing cuts of this magnitude, especially heading into the busiest seasons will have a detrimental impact on the parks and the communities both in and around them.
From the first time that I visited Rocky Mountain National Park, I knew just how important it was that places like this exist and that they continue to be both preserved and protected.
Thank goodness some of our previous presidents, dating back to the administration under Thomas Jefferson, for their foresight to the conservation of our nation's land.
These national parks and public lands are some of the most beautiful places that I have had the opportunity to visit. I cannot imagine what these areas would look like if these presidents didn’t think about the future of our nation and the importance behind preserving the natural and raw beauty of these lands for many generations to come.
The NPCA official has stated that the Trump administration is cutting these jobs without realizing the widespread impacts.
It will be felt in how clean the parks are, the hours of operation of the parks, the education programs offered, park maintenance, administrative etc. It will impact everything.
When I think about all of the things that I have loved most about visiting these national parks, some of my favorite aspects have been the rangers, both paid and volunteer. I had nothing but raving reviews to each of the national parks that I have visited from the cleanliness to the knowledge that the staff was able to share. I was genuinely blown away by the parks themselves and the services offered.
To think that some of that will go away, or be negatively impacted breaks my heart.
The jobs that were cut are the lifelines of these parks.
They run the junior ranger programs, teaching your children the importance of conservation.
They help get your family down from a mountain in the event of a pop up snow storm in the middle of July.
They educate you on the trails you are getting ready to hike and provide you with tips and inside information that you might not otherwise have.
They clean the facilities you use.
They make your entire experience what it is.
So if you are like me, and are feeling overwhelmed by this news, please know you are not alone.
Much of this is beyond our direct control.
A more long term solution can possibly be made by reaching out to your state representatives but I am here to let you know of some things that may offer more immediate assistance.
You can support the National Park Nation and Region Wide Non-Profit Partners, a few are listed below.
National Park Foundation: The National Park Foundation (NPF) is the official charity of the National Park Service (NPS) and its national park sites. The NPF was chartered by Congress in 1967 with a charge to "further the conservation of natural, scenic, historic, scientific, educational, inspirational, or recreational resources for future generations of Americans.
National Parks Conservation Association: The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is the only independent, nonpartisan membership organization devoted exclusively to advocacy on behalf of the NPS system. Its mission is "to protect and enhance America's National Park System for present and future generations."
National Park Trust: We preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. We acquire the missing pieces of our national parks, the privately owned land located within and adjacent to our national parks’ boundaries. We also bring thousands of kids from under-served communities to our parks; they are our future caretakers of these priceless resources.
There are also specific organizations that help at a park level, if you just google the specific park you are interested in and their park partner, you will be directed to a more specific source.
In the event of further federal funding cuts, or government shutdowns, these organizations help to keep our parks running.
If you have the opportunity to and depending on where you are located, there might also be volunteer opportunities for you to become more involved.
Whether you utilize these national parks or public lands, it is our collective responsibility to ensure they are maintained for our continued use and the use of many generations to come.
Again, I want to reiterate that a lot of this is out of control but as my therapist has told me, and I will tell you, do what is within your control.
Educate yourself. Donate if you can. Volunteer if you are able.
In the wise words of Queen Elizabeth II, “We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love and then we return home.”
I am asking you to observe, to learn, to grow and to love just a little bit more.
