National Parks Face Closure Concerns as Government Shutdown Begins
WASHINGTON – A new federal government shutdown is raising alarms about the fate of AmericaS national parks,with advocates urging temporary closures to prevent damage and ensure visitor safety. The shutdown, triggered by a failure in Congress to agree on a funding bill, leaves parks vulnerable to issues ranging from vandalism and sanitation problems to ecological harm, mirroring challenges experienced during past shutdowns.
The debate centers on whether to keep parks accessible with limited staff or proactively close them to protect natural resources and visitor experiences. Concerns stem from previous shutdowns, notably the 35-day closure beginning in December 2018 under the Trump administration, during which parks like Joshua Tree National Park in California suffered meaningful damage, including illegally cut trees and newly constructed roads.
“keeping our national parks open after Trump and Republicans forced a government shutdown is stupid, short-sighted and incredibly risky,” stated stephanie Kurose, deputy director of government affairs at the Center for Biological Diversity, in a recent statement. “We’ve seen the irreparable harm that can happen when our parks go understaffed. Vandalism, trash and human waste will tarnish natural treasures that are the envy of the world. But apparently nothing says ‘Make America great Again’ like turning Yosemite into one giant toilet.”
The national Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) echoes these concerns, pointing to past instances of vandalism, sanitation issues, and ecological damage during shutdowns.”The government has shut down, and the administration is once again putting our national parks and visitors at risk, effectively directing staff to open park gates and walk away,” said NPCA president and CEO Theresa Pierno in a statement. “It’s not just irresponsible, it’s dangerous.”
During the 2018-2019 shutdown, Death Valley National Park also experienced widespread illegal camping and fires, alongside declining staff morale. Some park advocates now recommend closing all parks experiencing a reduction in force until federal funding is restored.
NPR’s Ava Pukatch contributed to this report.
