For Immediate Release: April 24, 2025
RIFs At National Park Service Would Make A Dire Situation Far Worse
In response to reports that the Interior Department has begun a process that is likely to lead to a reduction in force (RIF) at the National Park Service, Emily Thompson, Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, issued the following statement:
“Reports that the National Park Service is likely moving forward with mass firings of employees are deeply troubling and will make an already dire situation at many national parks and program offices far worse. Even before recent reductions in staff – from buyouts to other policies intended to force widespread resignations – parks were already having to do more with less. And this move by the Administration, right as the summer busy season is about to start, will only exacerbate the problem. The Administration is trying to assure the public that despite their cuts to staff and attempts to gut resources, national parks will be open and operating as usual. Let’s be clear, that is just spin and it could not be further from the truth.
“The people who are about to be fired by this Administration help to ensure our parks are safe and accessible, and the irreplaceable resources they protect will be around for future generations. Firing more NPS employees will mean safety at parks could be compromised and visitors should expect longer lines, reduced hours of operation at facilities, trails that are not maintained, limited access to some park amenities, and far fewer park rangers to help ensure they have a safe and memorable visit to their national parks.
“In addition, this RIF would not just hurt our national parks, staff, and visitors – gateway communities that depend on tourism and visitor spending to help support the local economy are going to suffer too.”
Contact: Doug Gordon | do**@***************es.com
The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization made up of over 4,000 members, all of whom are current, former, and retired employees or volunteers of the National Park Service (NPS). Together, they have accumulated over 50,000 years of experience caring for America’s most valuable natural and cultural resources. Our members include former NPS directors, deputy and regional directors, superintendents, park rangers (both law enforcement and interpretive), maintenance and administrative professionals, and many other dedicated career professionals.