RAISE YOUR VOICE AND HELP PRESERVE AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS
Recent budget cuts to the National Park Service under President Trump’s administration have led to the loss of approximately 1,000 permanent jobs and the cancellation of over 2,000 seasonal positions. These cuts could lead to reduced park services, including limited visitor center hours, unclean restrooms, and delayed maintenance on trails and campgrounds. With millions visiting national parks each year, the impact could extend beyond park operations, affecting wildlife, tourism and local economies. Critics argue that these reductions undermine conservation efforts and the visitor experience. (AP News, Politico)
The Impact of National Park Service Staff Cuts: What’s at Risk?
With fewer staff, parks are struggling to maintain visitor services, leading to reduced operating hours, unclean facilities, delayed maintenance, and even campground closures. These cuts not only impact visitor experiences but also pose safety risks and hinder conservation efforts. Additionally, communities that rely on park tourism—an industry generating over $55 billion annually—are at risk of economic downturns as declining services could deter visitors. Critics argue that these reductions undermine vital preservation projects, particularly those funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, and threaten the long-term sustainability of national parks. In the end, the cuts could lead to lasting damage, affecting both public enjoyment and the protection of these cherished natural spaces. (AP News, Politico)
STAY INFORMED ON CLIMATE NEWS
I’m not an official news source, but I have done my research to gather the best resources for you to take action.Beyond this article, follow your favorite outdoor non-biased news outlets such as:
NRDC – The Natural Resources Defense Council
The Guardian – Environment Section
The New York Times – Climate Section
Outsider – News, award-winning long reads, daily glimpses into the world of outdoor adventure.
The Washington Post – Climate Section
HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION NOW TO PRESERVE USA NATIONAL PARKS
Call you Local Senator
I know this can be very intimidating, but there are great resources to make this easy and anxiety-free. Check out the 5calls app – a great tool that provides you with a script based on the topic you care about and the correct phone number based on your location. You can also see a simple script provided here.
PETITIONS YOU CAN SIGNS TO PROTECT OUR PUBLIC LANDS
- Tell Congress to Protect National Park Service Staff
- Tell Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to protect national monuments from oil, gas, and mining
- Tell Congress national parks are worth fighting for
- Tell Congress to fund historic and cultural sites nationwide
- Tell Congress to protect wildlife in national parks
- Ask Lawmakers to Reverse Staffing Cuts at Land Management Agencies
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Support Keeping Public Lands Public -
Ask Lawmakers to Uphold Oil and Gas Reform -
Reform Mining to Protect Public Lands
All the petitions listed above and more can be found on the general advocacy pages below:
Here is NPCA’s advocacy page where you can actively sign and support national park efforts.
Here is NRDC’s advocacy page where you can raise your voice and sign petitions regarding a wide range of climate issues.
Here is Surf Rider’s advocacy page where you can sign petitions primarily focused on our oceans.
Here is Outdoor Alliance’s advocacy page where you can sign petitions to protect outdoor recreation.
WHERE YOU CAN DONATE TO HELP FUND CLIMATE RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION
- Donate to the National Park Conservation Association
- Donate to the National Park Foundation
- Donate to the National Forest Foundation
- Donate to the Natural Resources Defense Council
PRACTICE LEAVE NO TRACE
The Leave No Trace principles are a set of outdoor ethics designed to minimize human impact on nature. It starts with planning ahead and preparing, ensuring you know the area’s rules, weather conditions, and necessary gear to reduce risks and damage. When exploring, always travel and camp on durable surfaces, sticking to established trails and campsites to protect fragile ecosystems. Proper waste disposal is essential—pack out all trash, leftover food, and even human waste when necessary. To preserve nature’s beauty, leave what you find, meaning no picking plants, disturbing wildlife, or taking souvenirs. When it comes to fires, minimize campfire impact by using a camp stove or only building fires in designated fire rings. Respect wildlife by observing from a distance, never feeding animals, and storing food properly to prevent dangerous encounters. Finally, be considerate of others by keeping noise levels low, yielding to fellow hikers, and ensuring everyone can enjoy the outdoors. By following these principles, we can help protect natural spaces for future generations.
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As an elopement photographer and avid hiker, I truly appreciates our public lands and national parks. It’s deeply saddening to see budget cuts made where people thrive and connect with our Earth. They are not simply beautiful locations, but places full of education, thousands of species, and fountainheads for research. If you’re reading this, you are clearly a climate activist, so you understand that we have always had to fight for the respect and preservation of the environment. I hope this can aid you in connecting to new resources and taking action every week to our common goal. Our Earth is worth fighting for!
