A Thousand National Park Staff Lose Jobs Today
WASHINGTON – The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and park advocates across the country are demanding the Trump administration put an end to devastating staffing cuts that will wreak havoc on the National Park System. The Department of the Interior will exempt 5,000 seasonal positions under the current hiring freeze, while simultaneously terminating 1,000 National Park Service employees, just as visitors are planning their spring break and summer vacations to national parks.
Unfortunately, today’s cuts will leave parks understaffed, facing tough decisions about operating hours, public safety and resource protection.
Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA):
“Allowing parks to hire seasonal staff is essential, but staffing cuts of this magnitude will have devastating consequences for parks and communities. We are concerned about smaller parks closing visitor center doors and larger parks losing key staff including wastewater treatment operators.
“Exempting National Park Service seasonal staff from the federal hiring freeze means parks can fill some visitor services positions. But with peak season just weeks away, the decision to slash 1,000 permanent, full-time jobs from national parks is reckless and could have serious public safety and health consequences.“
“Years of budget cuts are already weakening the agency’s ability to protect and preserve these incredible places.
“National parks fuel local economies across the country, generating billions of dollars for area businesses and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. Slashing staff could have a ripple effect on gateway businesses and communities that depend on parks for survival.
“Park staff work tirelessly to protect our nation’s most treasured places, from Yosemite to Gettysburg. They educate visitors, safeguard history and preserve what makes our country special. This isn’t how we treat the places we cherish or those who protect them. We’re calling on our leaders to prioritize our parks and the staff who keep them safe and running.”
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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.6 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.
