Changes for our National Parks: What does this mean for you?

The United States is home to some of the most breathtaking sites. From the majestic mountains that reflect in the pools of water in Yosemite, to the burning colors of the changing leaves in the Rocky Mountains during the fall, and the bright green tropical trees lining the boardwalk in the Everglades, the shining gems of this country are its national parks. Unfortunately, due to the recent staffing cuts, these public lands are undeniably under threat.

Outrage has been expressed across the country due to these layoffs, and many people fear for the future of our national parks. To have a clear picture, it’s important to understand what exactly happened, who our park rangers are, how the layoffs will impact your experience, the risks for the future of our public spaces, and how you can help!

Short on time? Here’s the Key Points!

Layoffs and Immediate Impact:

Valentine’s Day 2025: 1,000 National Park employees were laid off, impacting visitor services and park operations.
Probationary Misconception: Many laid-off employees were long-term staff in new roles, not just new hires.

Current and Future Impacts:

Reduced Services: Expect limited hours, longer lines, trail maintenance issues, and fewer campground and tour availabilities.
Visitor Safety: Reduced staff may lead to delays in emergency response times.
Financial Impact: National parks and local economies may suffer due to decreased visitor numbers and spending.
Environmental Risks: Less oversight could result in negative environmental consequences and loss of expertise in conservation efforts.

How to Help:

Contact Lawmakers: Call and write to Congress and state lawmakers to express opposition to the staffing cuts.
Volunteer: Assist with park operations, public programs, and maintenance.
Donate: Support the parks financially and consider purchasing park merchandise.

Conclusion:

National parks are vital for nature, wildlife, and historical preservation. The recent layoffs put these treasured spaces at risk, and it’s crucial to advocate for the reinstatement of positions to ensure their continued protection and enjoyment for future generations.

The Staffing Cuts

On Valentine’s Day of this year (2025), 1,000 National Park employees received the heartbreaking news that their careers within the park system were coming to an abrupt end. According to Forbes, “The numbers of laid-off employees represent approximately 5% of the total National Park Service workforce and 10% at the U.S. Forest Service.” This is devastating for them and their families; furthermore, it is also devastating for the rest of us who are avid lovers and supporters of these public spaces.

The reason they were given for the layoffs was that the employees “did not demonstrate fitness or qualification because [their] expertise, knowledge, and skills did not meet the park’s needs.” Consequently, I can’t help but raise an eyebrow at this. Were all 1,000 employees unfit? If this is the case, shouldn’t we be examining the training these employees undergo and investing more resources to ensure the folks who take care of our precious public spaces and the safety of visitors are fully supported?

Side note: While the 1,000 were indeed probationary, it’s a common misconception that this means they were all “new” employees. The probationary period can last about one year or longer, depending on the position. Therefore, a probationary employee can be new to the organization or a long-term staff member who just moved into a new role. This means that there were staff members who were dismissed after being with the park for over a decade but had recently shifted roles, so they were considered probationary.

These layoffs resulted from a much broader effort to reduce government spending. With Congress’s focus on budget reconciliation, it makes sense that financial changes would occur within federal organizations. However, what doesn’t make sense is that our national parks were already experiencing struggles due to being understaffed.

On a recent panel for the National Park Conservation Association, former Park Ranger Jennifer Quintero pointed out that even before the recent layoffs, the number of park visitors continued to increase while the number of park employees remained low. As a result, these cuts only put more stress on our parks, making it impossible to adequately serve visitors, potentially leading to a decline in park revenue and visitor safety.

The Job of a Park Ranger

Park ranger’s on average, make about $46,000 a year. These are GS positions, ranging from GS-5 to GS-11. Park-Ranger.org says that says that most park rangers with the National Park Service will start at GS-5. This level needs at least a four-year degree, 24 semester hours of related courses, or one year of experience similar to GS-4. So, even the lowest-level employee needs to have the proper education and experience to make $30,000 annually.

Additionally, Quintero pointed out that many rangers pick up second jobs to make ends meet. This is unfortunate, given how demanding and physical the job already is. Their work includes, but is not limited to, maintaining the trails and common spaces of the parks, providing education for visitors, ensuring safety, and researching and enacting restoration efforts.

So, if there isn’t a high financial reward and the job is demanding, why do they stay?

The answer is simple. Park rangers love their work and believe in it. These were not lazy people in unneeded jobs who were let go. Instead, Instead, these are people who work long hours because they want others to learn about our parks and have a great time. They believe our lands should be cared for and protected, and they are willing to put in the work.

How does this currently impact our national parks?

Due to staff shortages, we can expect to see some changes in 2025. If you plan on visiting a National Park this year, you’ll want to set realistic expectations and plan accordingly.

Reduced hours of operation: Visitor centers and park facilities may have limited hours or days, due to staff shortages. For example, Saguaro National Park’s visitor center will be closed on Mondays until further notice.

Longer lines and wait times: If you’ve ever had a late start when getting to a National park, you may have already experienced what it’s like to wait in what seems to be an endless line of cars. This will potentially become the norm as we head into the busy season, especially at popular parks like the Grand Canyon, where lines at the South Entrance have already doubled.

Trail conditions: You may encounter things such as overgrowth, soil erosion, and fallen trees and debris. This can affect trail visibility and safety, potentially leading to trail closures. Remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace, you can learn more about this from my article HERE.

Bathroom Maintenance: Dirty latrines, no toilet paper, and overflowing trash bins may not be the worst issue on the list, but a reality we may be facing nonetheless. Do your part to clean up after yourself, and consider bringing a sanitation pack with you.

Campgrounds, lodging, and tour availability: Typically snagging a coveted camping spot inside the park or one of the famous guided tours requires you to plan months ahead of time. Now, it may not matter how far in advance you plan, because booking these experiences may not be an option. Some campgrounds and tours may be unavailable. For instance, Yosemite has canceled reservations for 577 camping spots, and Carlsbad Caverns has canceled its guided tours.

Safety: Your safety is YOUR responsibility. This may be the most important. If you are injured, it may take much longer for staff to reach you, or there may be a chance that no one will come at all. Take every precaution, and always inform someone of your plans.

Please be mindful that this is in no way the existing staff’s fault. We cannot expect individuals to cover the work of every dismissed staff member. Be patient, go in prepared, and do your part.

What are the potential impacts for the future?

Unfortunately, we will inevitably see negative results from these staffing cuts. While some effects will be immediate, others may take a bit longer to reveal themselves and will have long-term effects.

Decreased Visitor Experience: With fewer staff available, there are fewer hands on deck to tackle the issues listed above. This could eventually lead to national parks becoming less appealing to visitors, who may decide it’s not worth spending money and time to visit our public spaces.

Financial Decline for the Parks and Local Economies: In 2024, our national parks brought in $55.6 billion in economic output. This number was a record high over previous years, with a trajectory to keep growing. The money brought in by visitors was beneficial for the National Park Service and for surrounding communities, including restaurants, places of lodging, grocery stores, etc. With potential visitors being drawn to these areas, we can expect to see a decline in the amount of money that these communities have been relying on to stay up and running.

Negative Environmental Impacts: Park Rangers are responsible for educating and overseeing visitors. They ensure we stay on designated trails, protect wildlife from disruption, and keep fire danger levels low. Unfortunately, not everyone understands why these rules are so important. Without proper education and enforcement, we will likely see an increase in poor judgment, leading to harmful impacts on the area, potentially becoming irreversible over time.

Loss of Expertise and Knowledge: Many people do not realize that the National Park Staff is responsible for all of the research done on the conservation of these spaces. These efforts protect the natural resources and wildlife these parks are home to. They also lead restoration efforts to rehabilitate damaged ecosystems. We can expect efforts made on these projects to decrease or halt completely since some of the employees who were dismissed were research staff and forest workers.

All categories above influence how future generations will experience our national parks. If the repercussions of the latest layoffs are allowed to take full effect, there is a real possibility the parks as we know them will no longer exist.

How you can help.

Call and write to Congress and your State’s Lawmakers.: Make your voice heard! Calling and sending emails to Congress and your state’s lawmakers lets them know you do not support these staff cuts. It’s easy to think that you’re just one person, but when we raise our voices together we make a lot of noise.

Write to Congress

Write to your Lawmakers

Calls will have the largest impact.

Research who your members of Congress are, and find out what they’re in support of. You can do that HERE.

When you call you will speak to a staff member. Give your name, and address, and be specific on what you are calling about.

Share a brief reason why this matter is important to YOU and why it should matter to THEM.

Thank them for their time.

Follow up in a week or so!

Volunteer: Now more than ever, our parks need volunteers to help with everyday operations. This includes campground hosting, leading and supporting public-facing programs, and helping to maintain or rebuild historic sites.

You can see what positions are currently available HERE.

Donate: Times are financially hard for many of us right now, but if you can, donations will help the parks immensely. This aids in supporting the programs and resources the park provides.

You can donate HERE.

You can also consider purchasing merchandise the next time you visit a park! This will generate revenue for the park and you get a memorable t-shirt or coffee mug. It’s a win-win!

Final Thoughts:

Our national parks are more than just vacation destinations. They are a place where nature and wildlife can thrive, natural resources are protected, and historic sites are maintained and honored. None of this is possible without committed and qualified staff.

Our parks are at risk. We need these positions reinstated for the sake of all the dedicated employees who lost their jobs and the well-being of our public spaces. Visitor safety, local economies, and restoration efforts depend on it. We all have the power to make our voices heard. Speak up for your national parks and let Congress and Lawmakers know how valuable they are to our country. Future generations deserve to experience them in their fullest capacity, the way we have.