The Trump administration has issued a controversial order requiring that all national parks remain open, despite facing significant staffing shortages. This directive has drawn criticism from various conservation groups, including the National Parks Conservation Association, which labeled the action as “reckless and out of touch.” As millions of visitors are expected this summer, park personnel are bracing for the increased demand on already limited resources.
In a memo released Thursday, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stated that the order aims to ensure that all national parks and national historic sites, managed by the Department of the Interior, remain "open and accessible for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people." The directive emphasizes that the National Park Service (NPS) must provide the best customer service experience for all visitors.
The order stipulates that any decisions regarding park closures or reductions in operating hours must be reviewed and approved by the NPS director and the assistant secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. This requirement has sparked immediate concerns among conservationists about the implications of such bureaucratic oversight.
Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association, expressed her apprehensions regarding the order. She described it as “yet another attempt by the administration to sideline the expertise of dedicated park staff.” According to the association, decisions regarding park closures should be based on factors such as staffing levels, weather conditions, and maintenance needs, rather than imposed bureaucratic procedures.
Brengel criticized the order as “micromanagement at its worst,” arguing that it creates unnecessary red tape at a time when park staff are already stretched thin. “This order is reckless and out of touch,” she stated, highlighting the challenges faced by park personnel during peak visitation seasons.
The National Park Service reported a record high of more than 331 million visitors last year across its 433 individual park units and 63 national parks. However, this recent order comes in the wake of significant staffing reductions made by the Trump administration, which has cut approximately 1,000 NPS workers this year. Many more have opted for buyouts, leading to critically low staffing numbers within the agency.
These staffing cuts could severely hinder the ability of the NPS to manage the influx of visitors effectively. Essential tasks, such as collecting entrance fees, maintaining cleanliness in restrooms, and conducting search and rescue operations, may become increasingly difficult to execute with fewer personnel available.
The Association of National Park Rangers has raised alarms that further cuts to staffing could be on the horizon, further compromising the NPS's ability to protect the lands and ensure they remain accessible to all visitors. As the summer season approaches, the implications of this order and its impact on the management of national parks remain a pressing concern for conservationists and park enthusiasts alike.
