Backlash Grows Over Trump Administration's Cuts to National Parks and Forest Services

The Trump administration's substantial cuts to national park and forest staff have elicited a strong response from both the public and former employees, who express concern over the impact on visitor safety, ecosystem preservation, and outdoor experiences.

The Trump administration's recent staff cuts to national parks and forests have incited considerable backlash, as the effects on public access and conservation are becoming increasingly evident. Visitors are experiencing longer entrance lines, reduced operational hours at visitor centers, trail closures, and deteriorating facility conditions.

National Forest wilderness ranger Kate White has diligently worked to maintain the Enchantments, a pristine alpine environment in Washington state that attracts over 100,000 visitors annually. With the cuts, her team, which typically clears significant litter from the area and manages crucial backcountry facilities like toilets—requiring helicopter assistance for maintenance—faces uncertainty on how these essential tasks will continue.

The brave work done by staff like White has also been about safeguarding visitor safety. Having served for over nine years, she has been a first responder to numerous emergency situations, ensuring hikers are equipped for the challenging terrain. However, with staffing drastically reduced, White and many others worry that public safety risks will rise, especially as peak camping seasons approach.

As part of the significant cutbacks, about 5% of National Park Service staff—approximately 1,000 workers—were terminated, while the US Forest Service faced steeper losses, letting go around 10% of its workforce, which equates to roughly 3,400 personnel, including crucial trail maintenance staff. This has led to chaotic scenes like long queues at popular parks, including the Grand Canyon and Yosemite, as fewer toll operators and staff are available to assist visitors.

At Yosemite, a dramatic protest saw employees display an upside-down American flag, voicing their disapproval of the staff cuts. Former biologist Andria Townsend expressed concern for endangered species she had previously worked to protect, highlighting the uncertain future for critical conservation work as staff reductions continue.

Couple Claire Thompson and Xander Demetrios, seasoned Forest Service employees recently laid off, felt deeply disrespected by the characterization of their work as lacking performance, despite their years of hazardous service in maintaining trails and helping visitors. The widespread backlash has prompted reports that some national park staff have been rehired post-terminations, while efforts are underway to hire thousands of seasonal workers for the upcoming seasons.

Critics, including John Garder of the National Parks Conservation Association, assert that these personnel losses threaten the quality of visitor experiences across U.S. national parks. With numerous essential services unavailable, including trail repairs and wildfire management personnel, both public safety and natural preservation may be severely compromised during the high visitor seasons.

In light of these challenges, advocates are warning prospective travelers to national parks to brace for increased litter, lower service levels, and potential threats to their safety in the absence of adequate personnel to manage these vast natural landscapes.