June 13, 2025 Dear Members of Congress, We, the members of the National Parks Second Century Action Coalition, and other organizations are alarmed by the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget that proposes over $1.2 billion in cuts to the National Park Service (NPS) and urge you to reject it. If enacted, it would be
Coalition Talks with The Hill on Proposed Cuts to NPS
Trump’s cuts to National Park Service rankle Republicans By Rachel Frazin – 06/09/25 6:00 AM ET President Trump’s proposed cuts to the National Park Service (NPS) are troubling some Republicans. The Trump administration has proposed a 30 percent cut to the park service’s operations and staffing budgets. In addition, the administration’s budget calls for transferring
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Calls President’s Budget “Deeply Problematic And Dangerous”
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Calls President’s Budget “Deeply Problematic And Dangerous” In response to the President’s budget proposal for the Department of Interior, which would cut 33% of the Department of Interior budget, including a 36% cut to the National Park Service budget, Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National
NPCA, ANPR, and CPANP Strongly Oppose OPM’s Proposed Civil Service Rule
June 2, 2025 Charles Ezell Acting Director, Office of Personnel Management 1900 E Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20415 Re: “Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service,” Proposed Rule, 90 Fed. Reg. 17182, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004 Dear Acting Director Ezell, The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), Association of National Park Rangers (ANPR) and Coalition
Coalition on California National Parks and Call to Action
Yosemite and Other CA National Parks Underfunded, Understaffed this Summer Mina Kim May 29, 2025 The Trump administration’s budget and staffing cuts to national parks could mean longer lines, closed visitor centers and fewer search and rescue workers this summer, according to former parks staff and advocates. The cuts are also compromising scientific research and
Coalition Letter: The Historic Preservation Fund Needs Full and Robust Funding
The Honorable Lisa Murkowski Chair Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Jeff Merkley Ranking Member Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Mike Simpson Chair Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee United States House of Representatives Washington,
Retired National Park Leaders Raise the Alarm Before Start of Summer Travel Season: Cuts to Public Lands Will Impact Californians
May 22, 2025 Retired National Park Leaders Raise the Alarm Before Start of Summer Travel Season: Cuts to Public Lands Will Impact Californians California — Today, retired national park leaders are calling attention to how cuts to public lands will impact California residents this summer. Over the last several months, the federal administration has severely
Coalition Sends Letter in Support of Full Funding for National Heritage Areas
March 11, 2025 The Honorable Lisa Murkowski Chair Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Jeff Merkley Ranking Member Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Mike Simpson Chair Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee United States House
Coalition Joins Comments Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
May 19, 2025 Federal eRulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov Docket: FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034 Re: Comments Regarding Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act: 90 Fed. Reg. 16102 (April 17, 2025) Dear Secretary Burgum and Secretary Lutnick: These comments are filed by Earthjustice on behalf of the sixty-six undersigned organizations. The undersigned organizations and their members work
Six Questions to Ask Secretary Burgum at Hearings This Week
May 19 2025 This week, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum will testify in front of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday May 20 and in front of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday May 21. This administration has made devastating cuts to national parks staff, setting up a potential crisis.
Coalition Opposes Rescinding the Definition of Harm under the Endangered Species Act
Electronic Submission – No Hard Copy to Follow Submitted via – https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/17/2025-06746/rescinding-the-definition-of-harm-under-the-endangered-species-act May 19, 2025 Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Subject: Document FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034-0001, Rescinding the Definition of Harm under the Endangered Species Act Dear Secretary Burgum and Secretary Lutnick: I am writing on
Judge Blocks Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government
Judge Blocks Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government PRESS RELEASE MAY 9, 2025 Case Reflects Largest and Most Significant Challenge to President’s Authority to Remake Government without Congressional Approval Washington, D.C. – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California San Francisco Division today issued a temporary restraining order to block the Trump administration’s
Member Oped: Protect our national parks, don’t exploit them
May 7, 2025 Opinion by Mike Soukup National Parks are a beautiful reflection of our country’s magnificent national and cultural heritage. Their protection is a high form of patriotism and worldwide source of inspiration. National Parks also generate significant revenue for national, regional, and local economies. From all angles National Parks are a good deal
5 Former Directors of the National Park Service Send Letter to Secretary Burgum Stating His Recent Order Is “Contradictory With The Law And The Intent Of Congress”
5 Former Directors of the National Park Service Send Letter to Secretary Burgum Stating His Recent Order Is “Contradictory With The Law And The Intent Of Congress” Letter Also Signed By 8 Deputy Directors Today, nearly every living former Director of the National Park Service sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum
NPS Retirees: Our Public Lands Are Not For Sale
Release Date: May 7, 2025 NPS Retirees: Our Public Lands Are Not For Sale Reconciliation Package Includes the Potential Sale of Public Lands Washington, D.C. — In the middle of the night, Republicans in the House Committee on Natural Resources introduced a last-minute amendment to the budget reconciliation package allowing for land sell-offs in Nevada
Former NPS Directors and Leaders to Burgum: Ensure the Protection of our National Parks
May 8, 2025 The Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington DC, 20240 Dear Secretary Burgum: As former senior leaders of the National Park Service (NPS), we are writing to express our concerns about Secretarial Order 3426, which states that, “that all park units remain open and accessible to
Coalition Opposed to Ambler Road Provisions In Budget Reconciliation Bill
May 6, 2025 The Honorable Bruce Westerman Chairman Committee on Natural Resources Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Jared Huffman Ranking Member Committee on Natural Resources Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman: I am writing to you today on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, a non-profit organization
House Committee On Natural Resources Reconciliation Bill Will Endanger Public Lands
House Committee On Natural Resources Reconciliation Bill Will Endanger Public Lands Coalition To Protect America’s National Parks Urges Committee To Reject Bill That Prioritizes The Interests Of Oil and Gas Industry Over the Interest Of Taxpayers In response to bill language put out by the House Committee on Natural Resources for their portion of the
UPDATE: Coalition of Unions, Non-Profit Groups, and Local Governments Seek Emergency Relief in Challenge to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government
UPDATE: Coalition of Unions, Non-Profit Groups, and Local Governments Seek Emergency Relief in Challenge to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government PRESS RELEASE MAY 2, 2025 Reorganization and Massive Reductions in Force Across Federal Agencies Violate Core Constitutional Concepts of Separation of Powers Case Reflects Largest and Most Significant Challenge to President’s Authority to Remake Government
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Calls Reports of Large Scale RIFs At National Park Service “Worst Case Scenario”
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Calls Reports of Large Scale RIFs At National Park Service “Worst Case Scenario” In response to reports that the Interior Department has begun a reduction in force (RIF) that will be “deep and blunt” at the National Park Service, Emily Thompson, Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect America’s
Coalition to Sec. Burgum: Uphold Roosevelt’s “Conservation Ethic” and Defer Leasing Near Theodore Roosevelt NP
ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION – NO HARD COPY TO FOLLOW April 28, 2025 The Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington DC 20240 Subject: Proposed oil and gas leasing on BLM lands adjacent to Theodore Roosevelt National Park Dear Secretary Burgum: I am writing to you today on behalf of the
Massive Coalition of Unions, Non-Profit Groups, and Local Governments File Omnibus Challenge to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government
Published by Democracy Forward April 28, 2025 Statements: Massive Coalition of Unions, Non-Profit Groups, and Local Governments File Omnibus Challenge to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government APRIL 28, 2025 A coalition that includes nationwide labor organizations, vital non-profit groups, and local cities and counties in California, Illinois, Maryland, Texas, and Washington all united today to
RIFs At National Park Service Would Make A Dire Situation Far Worse
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
Ahead of National Park Week, New Mexico Rep. Gabe Vasquez & National Park Advocates Warn of Staffing Crisis
Ahead of National Park Week, New Mexico Rep. Gabe Vasquez & National Park Advocates Warn of Staffing Crisis As Millions of Americans Head to Public Lands, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and Vet Voice Foundation Call Out Dangerous Staffing Cuts and Political Interference in Park Operations, Oppose Public Lands Sell-off Full Recording and Transcript
Our Nation’s National Parks Are Barreling Towards A Crisis
As we head into the holiday weekend, and the start of National Park Week – and with the busy summer season on the horizon – the Trump Administration is trying to assure Americans that despite the administration’s cuts to staff and attempts to gut resources, national parks are operating as normal. Don’t believe their