Paulina's family and dog working in Joshua Tree National Park in 2025
Presidents used to protect parks. Now we have one who’s gutting them while grinning for the cameras.
Trump is a media circus that’s for sure. It’s hard to keep up with what’s factual and what he’s just running his mouth off about that second.
But just like it was outlined in Project 2025, he has begun to actively dismantle the national parks, slashing protections, firing scientists, and opening the door for corporate exploitation.
We’re not focusing on what he might do with this one. This is all what he has done and what we can do in response.
p.s. go buy a national park membership!
What’s happening with Trump VS the national parks?
There’s something magical about stepping into a national park — it feels like hitting the pause button on life. Whether you're standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, hiking through the misty trails of the Great Smoky Mountains, or watching Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone, it's impossible not to feel a deep sense of awe.
National parks give us a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with nature. They’re a reminder of how vast and beautiful the world can be, offering us a space where we can breathe a little easier and soak in the quiet beauty around us. For most of us, being in nature is one of the most healing things.
Historically the national parks have been our only entrance into a world that hasn’t been touched; that has been around for thousands of years without much human interaction. These parks are part of a landscape that is still somewhat original.
But national parks aren’t just about fun and Instagram-worthy moments. They play a huge role in protecting the planet.
They preserve…
- fragile ecosystems
- endangered wildlife
- sensitive plant species
- culturally and historically significant landmarks
- and natural landscapes that would otherwise be at risk
By preserving these spaces, we’re also helping to combat climate change and ensure that future generations get to experience the same wonders we do today.
Beyond that, parks give us a deeper appreciation for the environment and inspire us to take better care of the planet.
Whether you’re chasing adventure or just looking for a quiet place to unwind, national parks offer something truly special and intrinsically valuable.
Protecting them is crucial.
It is no wonder that news outlets have erupted with ongoing speculations about the fate of our national parks under the current administration.
Donald Trump’s recent moves regarding the national park service staff, land policy, and general “drill-baby-drill” attitude have raised quite a bit of concern regarding the protection and operations of these magnificent places around the country.
But rather than get caught in the weeds of “what-if” and possible worst-case-scenarios for the parks, let’s take a look at some facts.
What has the Trump administration already done regarding national parks?
There are two main reasons outrage has been sparked regarding the protection of national parks and public lands throughout the country:
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lots of folks are getting fired
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protections for public lands are being dropped left and right
Paulina's van they travel through the national parks in.
Trump against national parks #1: mass layoffs of National Park staff right before the busy summer season
Roughly 1,000 National Park Service Employees and 3,400 Forest Service employees were laid off in February as a result of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce.
Combined, the two agencies employ only 55,000 people nationwide to protect 278 million acres of parks. That’s 55,000 people who love nature and parks so much they’ve committed to capping their salaries around $60K so the rest of the country can enjoy the great outdoors.
Laying off these crucial staff members with deep expertise on the national parks has raised some concerns about how — and by whom — the parks will be kept up and running.
In addition to laying-off, there is also a freeze on hiring workers to come in and fill those gaps. These cost-cutting initiatives raise a number of problems for the parks:
- delays in responses to accidents or emergencies within the parks
- potentially shorter visitor center hours and fewer activities
- longer lines at park entrances
- less maintained trails
- closed campgrounds
- limited access to other park amenities to prevent damage
- littering that can’t be collected as frequently
Many people worry that these mass-layoffs will create a domino effect, ultimately making it hard to keep the parks open.
So, protests are on the rise in an effort to protect the value and access to these parks. It’s why we’re seeing the American flag hung upside down in Yosemite, and people rallying at the Grand Canyon.
Trump against national parks #2: opening up pristine public parks lands to the oil & gas industry as promised in project 2025
Another spark for protests has been The Trump administration’s favoring of the oil & gas industry.
Talks have been well underway that the administration plans on advancing the extractive proposals spelled out in Project 2025 (page 522-533 and also of which we wrote about previously), the America First Agenda, and the American Petroleum Industry’s (API) deregulatory wish list.
In other words… drill baby, drill.
But if they’re just talking… has anything happened?
In addition to executive orders issued by the president, Doug Burgum—Trump’s secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)—has already issued several secretarial orders that could lead to profound harms to public lands and waters across the country.
The consequences of this are dire to not only national parks, but to various public lands across the country that are home to critical landscapes, ecosystems, and wildlife.
who does the dismantling of public parks impact?
All of us. But not in the same ways. There are a few groups specifically that are being affected by all this turmoil:
- national park staff
- forest service staff
- indigenous populations
- environmentalists & park lovers alike
The mass budget cuts and layoffs are clearly one of the most direct impacts, specifically on the workers who woke up one morning without their job.
But in addition to that, the national parks and monuments facing potential drilling projects may see declines in tourism, affecting businesses reliant on park visitors.
Budget cuts to land management agencies could also lead to fewer services and shortened hours like we talked about earlier.
The expansion of drilling in public lands, specifically like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) threatens landscapes considered sacred by Indigenous tribes. These developments jeopardize traditional subsistence hunting and fishing practices, disrupting cultural and economic foundations for indigenous folks.
why is all of this important?
Paulina's eco-friendly van driving through the national park.
Access to national parks is important for a variety of reasons, impacting individuals, communities, and the environment. Ensuring that that access is protected is crucial specifically for…
1. preservation of natural and cultural heritage
- protecting biodiversity
- conserving historical sites and landmarks
2. environmental and climate benefits
- forests and ecosystems absorb carbon dioxide, mitigating the effects of climate change
- protecting water sources for people and animals (like watersheds, water quality, & water conservation)
3. mental and physical health benefits
- promoting mental well-being by spending time in nature
- encouraging physical activity like hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities
4. educational opportunities
- hands-on learning about ecology, geology, and history.
- inspiring future generations of conservationists and scientists.
5. economic impact on local communities
- boosting tourism supporting local businesses surrounding the parks such as hotels, restaurants, and tour operators.
- job creation for park maintenance, ranger services, and tourism-related industries.
6. promoting equity and inclusion
- public access to nature for people from all backgrounds to experience the outdoors, especially for groups with historically limited access to green space
- connecting communities to these spaces which can be difficult to access
7. emergency preparedness and resilience
- wildfire mitigation and management by maintaining healthy forests and acting as buffer zones for surrounding communities
- protecting ecosystem services like clean air, water, and soil
8. cultural and spiritual significance
- access to land that originally belonged to indigenous peoples who were forced to move with the creation of the national parks
- sacred lands for indigenous communities
Whether you are a frequent visitor of national parks, someone who holds these places in a spiritual or cultural regard, or even just someone who can appreciate a pretty picture for your laptop screensaver, these spaces are incredibly important to all Americans and protecting them should be a no-brainer.
The national parks are crucial in so many ways. So let’s talk about how we can make sure they’re here to stay.
What can we do to keep Trump from destroying the national parks?
As mentioned before, a number of protests are already well underway and have taken place in various spots around the country. Dozens of demonstrators have flooded the parks, practicing their 1st Amendment right to voice their concerns.
In addition to protesting, there are tons of ways to show up for the national parks and those who work to protect and maintain them.
We can focus on…
- contact local lawmakers and elected officials
- fight against deregulation and oppose policies allowing for increased drilling and mining
- practice responsible tourism and “leave no trace”
- join volunteer programs offered by several of the parks to help with things like trail maintenance and trash pick up
- promote environmental education
- donate and support organizations that advocate for the parks like The Sierra Club, The National Park Foundation, and EarthJustice
- reduce the burden on heavily visited parks by exploring lesser-known national parks
National parks are something we all should care deeply about, and it’s going to take a village to keep them protected. These places are pristine, beautiful, spiritual, and critical for the planet, and there is so much we can do to keep them that way.
P.S. these are all photos of Paulina, her family, and their van traveling and working through our National Parks. This is a topic close to us that affects all of us.