For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Contact: Sam Nurick | sa*@***************es.com
New NYT Report Shows The Deep Crisis in National Parks
Secretary Burgum’s order that parks remain open and accessible has put parks in an impossible situation.
A new report in today’s New York Times shows that while the Trump Administration is pushing national parks to remain open and accessible, our parks are in crisis, and it is likely to get much worse.
The Times story found that at least 90 parks operated by the National Park Service (NPS) are facing serious strain due to understaffing. In total, the NPS has lost 24% of its personnel since the beginning of the Administration, on top of a 20% decline since 2010. The piece details all the ways this is affecting our most treasured spaces – from uncleaned bathrooms and uncollected entrance fees to limited educational programs and reduced rescue capacity.
National parks like Zion – the second most visited in the country – are reporting millions in lost revenue and significantly smaller search and rescue teams. But it’s not just the biggest of them. So too are historic sites and national monuments struggling, with many cutting crucial programs that teach young Americans about our history and wild spaces.
In response to the story, Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, released the following statement:
“The New York Times report is alarming. And should be a warning sign. It makes clear: Our national parks across the country are being pushed to the brink. Gutting the NPS workforce has set our parks on an unsustainable and dangerous path – and Secretary Burgum’s order that parks remain ‘open and accessible’ has put them in an impossible situation. Clearly staffing cuts are already impacting the ability of some park units to respond to emergencies, ensure visitor safety, continue routine maintenance, lead tours and educational programs, and keep facilities open. While some of these impacts are already visible to the public, it is very likely that this situation will get much worse.”
You can see the full list of issues at the parks here via the National Parks Conservation Association: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10h9-toHjHGjcBmhdUDZst9ZiHWUu7dM0/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109050738263707105714&rtpof=true&sd=true
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The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization made up of over 4,600 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.