Coalition members and staff continue to push for national parks – which are already struggling under the impacts of staffing and budget cuts since January – to be closed in the event of a government shutdown. NBC Bay Area News – “Why some want national parks closed if government shuts down.“ Cronkite News –
Member Op-Ed: National park cuts threaten Nevada’s economy
NEVADA VIEWS: National park cuts threaten Nevada’s economy Catherine Cortez Masto and Mark Butler Special to the Las Vegas Review-Journal September 27, 2025 – 9:01 pm Updated September 29, 2025 – 7:03 am In addition to their natural wonders, Nevada’s national parks and public lands such as Great Basin National Park, Lake Mead National
More Than 35 Former National Park Superintendents Urge Secretary Burgum To Close National Parks If There Is A Government Shutdown
More Than 35 Former National Park Superintendents Urge Secretary Burgum To Close National Parks If There Is A Government Shutdown Superintendents state: “Leaving parks open to the public with minimal—or no—park staffing is reckless and puts both visitors and park resources at risk.” In a letter sent to Secretary Burgum today, 38 former National Park
Former NPS Superintendents Urge Secretary Burgum To Close National Parks if Government Shuts Down
September 25, 2025 The Honorable Doug Burgum Secretary Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington D.C., 20240 Dear Secretary Burgum: As former superintendents of national parks across the country, we write to you with an urgent appeal to protect our parks and public lands by closing them if a government shutdown occurs. Past
‘We should all be ashamed’: Huffman calls out reported plan to sanitize National Parks exhibits
‘We should all be ashamed’: Huffman calls out reported plan to sanitize National Parks exhibits Interior Department disputes claims of censorship By ROBERT SCHAULIS PUBLISHED: September 19, 2025 The Trump administration has come under fire this week for attempting to “sanitize” and “erase history” at National Parks sites throughout the county. On Monday, the
VICTORY: Court Rules Lawsuit to Protect Wilderness Battlefield Can Proceed
VICTORY: Court Rules Lawsuit to Protect Wilderness Battlefield Can Proceed Thanks to yesterday’s ruling, litigation will continue to save this precious landscape and hallowed ground, home to some of America’s most impactful history. WASHINGTON – Today, the Circuit Court for Orange County, Virginia partially denied a motion to dismiss the litigation challenging the the local
Coalition Statement On Removal of Historical Information from National Parks: “Dangerous And Unprecedented Move”
Coalition To Protect America’s National Parks On Removal of Historical Information from National Parks: “Dangerous And Unprecedented Move” The Administration is ordering national parks to remove historical information it considers disparaging to America at parks across the country. Following a March executive order, which asserted that some of the history presented at parks advances
Member Op-Ed: Trump administration cuts to National Park Service threaten NC economy
From the majestic peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the unparalleled beaches of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, millions of Americans visit North Carolina’s national parks each year to enjoy the natural beauty, culture, history, and recreation they offer. I spent more than four decades with the National Park Service, much of it
Federal Judge Rebukes Trump Administration for Firing Essential Federal Employees
Federal Judge Rebukes Trump Administration for Firing Essential Federal Employees In a sharply worded decision issued late Friday, a federal district judge ruled that the Trump Administration broke the law by firing federal workers employed in vital roles protecting public safety and supporting the U.S. economy. Judge William H. Alsup of the Northern District of
Former Coalition EC Member Michael Allen: Trump Is Scrubbing Slavery From Our Historical Sites
OPINION GUEST ESSAY Trump Is Scrubbing Slavery From Our Historical Sites Sept. 5, 2025 By Kevin Sack Mr. Sack is the author of “Mother Emanuel: Two Centuries of Race, Resistance, and Forgiveness in One Charleston Church.” Charles Pinckney’s stature in American history, sufficient to merit his own National Park Service site near Charleston, S.C., has
“How We Fight”
“How We Fight” is a short documentary that follows a series of protests at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in the first months of the Trump administration. Over the course of 105 days, retired Chief of Interpretation Carol Borneman led a local effort to make the park neighbors aware of the damage being done to
Member Op-Ed: Ciscomani, others must stand up for our public lands
Ciscomani, others must stand up for our public lands The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: This summer, many of us Arizonans got out to enjoy our public lands. From Grand Canyon National Park and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints Grand Canyon National Monument to Ironwood National Monument and Las Cienegas National
Coalition Comments on Advancing a Surface Transportation Proposal
Daniel Cohen Assistant General Counsel for Regulation and Legislation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, West Building, Ground Floor, W12-140 Washington, D.C. 20590-0001 RE: Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0468, Comments on Advancing a Surface Transportation Proposal Dear Assistant General Counsel Cohen: The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks submits these following recommendations on the
New NYT Report Shows The Deep Crisis in National Parks
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
NATIONAL PARKS CALL-IN SHOW
NATIONAL PARKS CALL-IN SHOW Today marks the 109th anniversary of the National Park Service. But drastic budget cuts to the park system leave many people concerned. Listen to the National Parks Call-In Show here. Tonight’s RadioACTive is a collaboration with Rocky Mountain Community Radio (RMCR), a coalition of 21 non-commercial radio stations in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and
Member Op-ed: A Short-Sighted View of Our Parks
A Short-Sighted View of the Parks NPS budget cuts threaten our economy, environment, and quality of life Watching the current administration eviscerate staffing and budgets in the National Park Service has horrified and sickened those of us who have spent years working in our parks. These short-sighted decisions pose a grave threat to the Outer
Advocates Urge Colorado to Phase Out Toxic Lead Ammunition and Tackle to Protect Wildlife and Public Health
Colorado Parks and Wildlife 6060 Broadway Denver, CO 80216 Submitted via: online portal August 8, 2025 RE: Inclusion of a Lead Ammunition and Tackle Phase-Out in CPW’s State Wildlife Action Plan Dear Colorado Parks and Wildlife Planning Team, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and Elaine F. Leslie, PhD, former National Park Service Agency Chief of
America’s National Parks at Breaking Point as Staff Cuts, Budget Slashes Threaten Safety and Preservation
Australian Broadcast Corporation Once ‘America’s best idea’, National Parks are reaching their breaking point US national parks are being forced to stay open despite operating on a “bare-bones” crew after cuts to staff and funding. Rangers say they can’t sustain it. By Maddy Morwood From the towering sandstone canyons in Zion, to the Rocky Mountain
Protecting National Parks in Montana and Throughout the Country for Generations to Come
Protecting National Parks in Montana and Throughout the Country for Generations to Come We need to ensure that public lands are protected for generations to come. By Steve Daines & Jeff Mow August 4, 2025 While visits to our national parks are at an all-time high, the parks and their infrastructure are crumbling. Bridges
Our National Parks Are at a Crossroads
Aug 4, 2025 By Theresa Pierno, Phil Francis The landmark Great American Outdoors Act funded more than 600 long-overdue repair projects in national parks. Continued investment is needed to finish the rest. Five years ago today, our nation united to protect the places we cherish most. With overwhelming bipartisan Congressional support, President Trump signed the
Park Advocates Warn of Dire Consequences from Staffing Cuts: Report Highlights Risks to Visitor Services, Safety, and Conservation
The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, in collaboration with the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), the Association of National Park Rangers (ANPR), and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), have released an analysis detailing the real-world consequences of further staffing cuts, from slashed visitor services and delayed maintenance to weakened wildfire response and
Coalition Comments on Proposed Parcels for BLM Montana-Dakotas January 2026 Oil and Gas Lease Sale
July 24, 2025 Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas State Office Attention: Hattie Payne 5001 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101 Subject: Scoping comments on parcels under consideration for inclusion in the BLM Montana-Dakotas Q1 January 2026 Oil and Gas Lease Sale (DOI-BLM-MT-0000-2025-0008-EA) To whom it may concern: Thank you for the opportunity to submit these scoping
Comments on EPA’s Proposal on Regional Haze actions for Texas and Oklahoma
Comments Submitted via regulations.gov: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/EPA-R06-OAR-2025-0197-0041 July 23, 2025 Michael Feldman U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, Air and Radiation Division SO2 and Regional Haze Section 1201 Elm Street Suite 500 Dallas, TX 75270 Fe*************@*pa.gov Subject: Comments on EPA’s Proposal on Regional Haze actions for Texas and Oklahoma Dear Mr. Feldman: We are writing on
Coalition Joins Partners Opposition to House FY26 Interior Appropriations Bill
July 21, 2025 Dear Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro and Appropriations Committee Members, We, the members of the National Parks Second Century Action Coalition urge you to oppose the U.S. House of Representatives Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The Administration’s actions have severely hampered the National Park Service’s (NPS)
Coalition Joins Over 260 Organizations in Opposing Elimination of NPS Community Assistance Programs
July 11, 2025 The Honorable Mike Simpson Chair Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies House Committee on Appropriations 2358-B Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Tom Cole Chair House Committee on Appropriations H-307 The Capitol Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Chellie Pingree Ranking Member Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies