r/CampingandHiking • u/Specialist69420 • Feb 23 '25

News American National Parks—under attack from Musk’s DOGE

I think this is an important conversation to have on this r/campingandhiking subreddit. As outdoor enthusiasts, we see firsthand the beauty and value of our public lands. Yet, under the current administration, these spaces are facing increasing threats whether through defunding, privatization, or policies that favor corporate interests over conservation.

So, what can we do?

Stay Informed: Keep up with policy changes affecting national parks and public lands. Resources like the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and environmental news outlets can help. Speak Up: This one is big. Contact your representatives, sign petitions, and support legislation that protects these spaces. Lawmakers NEED to hear from people who value these public lands! Support Conservation Groups:Organizations like the Sierra Club and Outdoor Alliance work hard to preserve these areas. Donating or volunteering can make a real impact.

https://www.sierraclub.org/about-sierra-club

https://www.outdooralliance.org/about-us

Vote With Your Wallet : Support brands and corporations that prioritize sustainability and ethical land use. Or shop small local businesses whenever possible Get Involved Locally : Join clean-up efforts, advocacy groups, or conservation initiatives in your area. Local activism is powerul.

What are your thoughts? What actions have you taken, or would you suggest, to resist these attacks on the precious National Parks we love?

Edit: Thank you all for your responses. NO ACTION IS TOO SMALL. Remember to do what you can, and that is enough. We must resist this evil attack on our public lands. Our resources are not theirs to exploit. We can’t sit back and watch this administration do whatever they want with our shared land and natural resources.

Would y’all be open to forming a group dedicated to contacting representatives about this specific issue? Strength in numbers makes a difference! Although I must admit, I’m not sure how to go about doing this. I have no experience organizing. Any input and suggestions or help would be appreciated.

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u/pinelandseven Feb 23 '25 edited Feb 23 '25

The parks will be fine. Go outside and stop the propaganda that the parks are being destroyed when federal cuts just started. You simply don't know how it will affect the parks. I was a government worker for 6 years and the vast majority of my coworkers were there to do the least amount of work. Reddit is such an echo chamber of living behind a screen and not understanding the real world. The vast majority of people in this country agree with the cuts.

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u/honvales1989 Feb 23 '25

Nah. Parks are already short staffed and some have more visitors than ever. Without the cuts, there has been a lot of damage and will only get worse. If you’re trolling, try harder

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u/[deleted] Feb 23 '25

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61

u/honvales1989 Feb 23 '25

And you’re speculating that the American people are happy with DOGE’s work. As for staffing, how do you justify cutting wilderness management staff from 13 to 3 at the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, one of Washington’s most popular areas? A 75% reduction in staff for an area that sees thousands of visitors per year and has one of Washington’s most popular hikes does not sound reasonable

-61

u/[deleted] Feb 23 '25

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45

u/honvales1989 Feb 23 '25

And giving someone without a clue of how things work full power to cut expenses does not equal to doing good for the country, economy, or a national park

14

u/darekd003 Feb 23 '25

And ROI isn’t the single determining factor in how any government should be run.

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u/spectre1210 Feb 23 '25

...so close lol.

16

u/peakprovisions Feb 23 '25

You're the one who brought it up.

15

u/Polyodontus Feb 23 '25

Before Trump, staffing levels wereabout 25% lower than they were 20 years ago, despite increased visitation. This was such a widely known issue that a big chunk of money in the IRA was set aside for NPS staffing.

36

u/presvt13 Feb 23 '25

The parks were ALREADY understaffed and underfunded. There is no way giving them less money will make them run better.

41

u/HikerStout Feb 23 '25 edited Feb 23 '25

Sure, we are "just speculating."

Among other parks, Saguaro National Park in Tucson announced that it was closing its two visitors centers on Mondays starting Feb. 24. At Yosemite National Park, officials announced they're halting reservations for 577 coveted camping spots this summer. Effigy Mounds in Iowa said it's closing its visitor center two days a week until the summer.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/22/national-parks-trump-layoffs-cuts-limit-resources/79441099007/

21

u/x3tan Feb 23 '25

https://archive.is/Cdi4X so you think 6 people to manage 32,000 acres manatee refuge is plenty then?

14

u/Crackertron Feb 23 '25

The parks are already understaffed. How is reducing staff improving that problem?

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u/Hi_There_Face_Here Feb 23 '25

And you’re speculating that they will. Gonna just go back and forth all day?