Yosemite National Park Deserves Better
By JT Reynolds, U.S. Army Veteran, Retired National Park Service, and Member of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
My career as a steward of America’s public lands started four decades ago, extending from Alaska, to Florida, and many places in between. For some, careers change, evolve, and take shape over time. But growing up hunting and fishing as a country boy (and, being “too outdoorsy”, according to my mother) my time spent in the United States Army and with the National Park Service felt like destiny.
I studied Recreation Parks Administration and Wildlife Sciences at Texas A&M University, and was privileged to serve as a seasonal National Park Service (NPS) ranger during my time at university. I then joined the U.S. Army after graduating, and after military service, I found myself back with the NPS Ranger Program, where I served for 38 years. From Yosemite National Park, to Grand Canyon National Park, to being on special detail in Alaska when President Carter designated national monuments, I’ve spent a large part of my life grounded in America’s public lands. I continue to enjoy them to this day.
Fifty years ago, things in the National Park Service were a bit spartan and primitive – even the training of rangers. I think this is in large part why they recruited individuals who served in the military. Military training provided us with an incredibly thorough baseline of preparedness for what we could possibly face with the NPS. In fact, right after the military, I ended up in Yosemite National Park, where I was blessed to work under a Chief Ranger who previously served in the Army’s 10th Mountain Division. His entire ethos was ensuring that his rangers were very well trained in every aspect of what we may encounter in one of America’s wildest places. We were trained in scuba diving, mountain climbing, cross country downhill skiing, law enforcement, structural and wildland firefighting. We went to medic school with Navy Corpsmen. That experience was foundational for my entire career with the NPS. I personally know what it takes to defend and preserve our public lands.
Because of my experience in Yosemite National Park and serving in the U.S. Army, I am deeply troubled after hearing the recent news that there’s consideration for part of Yosemite to be given to a private developer to build a road shortcut for the ultra-wealthy. Yosemite belongs to the American people. Not a single administration, corporation, or developer.
I understand the importance of protecting this park to preserve our rich natural history for future generations. The American people expect NPS to be stewards of Yosemite, and all of our public lands, because some places are too important to be seen as a negotiating asset for personal gain. This move could set a dangerous precedent that would be hard to reverse.
I consider my experience working with youth during my time in the NPS one of my most rewarding. In every park I served, I would reach into the community and find ways to work with young people through outdoor experience. I would teach kids survival skills through personal preparedness, developmental programs and education, while utilizing those parks as outdoor classrooms.
I’ve spent much of my life defending the land that I served to protect, and it’s critical that we preserve America’s public lands for future generations. In my own personal experience growing up in this country, and through my time connecting with local communities, I’ve seen firsthand how impactful time spent outdoors, immersion in nature, and fostering connection with each other can be for veterans, military families, civilians, and children alike. It teaches us all that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves, and America’s youth and future generations deserve those opportunities.
Stop the steal. Don’t let one inch be removed from our beloved and priceless Yosemite National Park.