An Open Letter to President Donald Trump Regarding Our National Parks
I am deeply concerned about the recent mass firing of National Park Service staff. This decision threatens the very foundation of our National Parks. National Parks are an American idea—one that recognizes the need to preserve areas of natural beauty for the "enjoyment of the people."
Yellowstone became the first National Park in 1872, signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant. However, the idea of preserving land for the public is even older. In 1832, Andrew Jackson set aside what would become Hot Springs National Park. In 1864, Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant, protecting the land that later became Yosemite National Park. Decades later, Theodore Roosevelt, known as the "Conservation President," expanded and protected countless national parks and forests, ensuring their preservation for generations to come.
For over 150 years, presidents from both parties have recognized the importance of protecting public lands. These places are not just for our enjoyment—they are a core part of our national identity, our economy, and our legacy.
Last Friday, roughly 1,000 National Park Service staff were fired; this comes on top of a hiring freeze that prevents the NPS from bringing on seasonal staff to manage growing crowds. These cuts will cripple our National Parks, reducing essential services, limiting access, and undermining the very mission of preservation.
The damage extends beyond the parks themselves. These cuts will devastate the communities that rely on them. In 2023, visitors spent approximately $26.4 billion in gateway communities, supporting an industry that employs around 415,000 people. The National Park Service's budget is approximately $3 billion, yet it generates over $55 billion in economic output—an 18-to-1 return on investment. Cutting NPS funding is not just short-sighted; it actively harms businesses, jobs, and local economies across the country.
There is an old saying: "Penny wise, pound foolish." Slashing the National Park Service budget means cutting pennies at the expense of dollars.
I urge you to immediately restore funding to the National Park Service, rehire the terminated staff, and lift the hiring freeze. The American people deserve well-maintained parks that are fully staffed to ensure their protection and accessibility. Act now to safeguard our nation's natural treasures for future generations.
