“We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.” The quote is sometimes attributed to Konstantin Josef Jireček, a 19th-century Czech historian and diplomat. But, of late, it may be well-used by National Park Service rangers and managers. While park service staffing levels shrink by firings and prompted “separations”, park managers are now being told not to cut back services.
Park Service staffing goes down, but managers told to keep things rolling
The ball got rolling last week when Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued a directive telling the National Park Service (NPS) to make sure all national parks are properly staffed and open according to the hours listed on their websites. As we’ve reported, some national parks and park-operated sites have been cutting back operating hours and even campground availability.
What led to the cutbacks and closures? A hiring freeze, a pause on seasonal hiring, an attempt to fire 1,000 probationary employees, and pressure on others to retire early. Despite the huge cutbacks in manpower, Burgum’s order to the director of National Parks is to keep all parks open and ensure visitor services, like campgrounds and trails, remain available as advertised. It also stated that any changes, such as closing facilities, shortening hours, or cutting services, must first be approved by top officials at the department.
One can only imagine the consternation the order placed on park superintendents. What are they to do, in order to keep a bold face on anything park visitors may see or experience, yet do it with what was already a shortage of people power?
“Superintendents will need to scramble”
“This new memo from the National Park Service shows how much park superintendents will need to scramble in order to maintain visitor services and resource protection in parks this summer,” Kristen Brengel, senior vice president for government affairs at the National Parks Conservation Association, told National Parks Traveler. “Rather than lift the hiring freeze and stop a reduction-in-force, the administration is asking park staff to stretch themselves even thinner. This is not good for our parks and their visitors and resources.”
Evidently, higher-ups at the Park Service got wind of the concerns of park superintendents. Early this week, Jessica Bowron, the acting NPS director, fired off an email to park managers. It told them how they should handle the “stretched-thin but keep it open” directive. How to handle park service staffing? In the email, she told them they should simply reassign whatever existing staff they had left to handle “public-facing” jobs. Is your park short-handed? Then get workers from other national parks. Lean on volunteers. The advice even suggested that national parks should “borrow” staff from state parks.
Park managers might be losing sleep over this, but the big question is—How’s it going to affect visitors? Higher echelon park management essentially says, “Everything is beautiful.” “As in other years, we are working hard to ensure we make this another great year for visitors. National park employees are dedicated problem solvers used to working around obstacles and will continue to work hard to provide memorable experiences this summer,” said Rachel Pawlitz, the agency’s public affairs chief, in an email to National Parks Traveler.
Warning to park visitors: Read between the lines
But an additional paragraph in the email gives a “read between the lines” warning for those heading to the parks. “As always, travelers visiting national parks this summer should do their due diligence by planning for their trip,” Pawlitz continued. “This means doing research about the park you’re looking to visit, understanding what passes or reservations you will need, creating a backup plan in case things don’t go as planned, packing the 10 essentials, and making sure you download the NPS App to access park information and maps while in the park.”
“A backup plan in case things don’t go as planned.” It could be just a coincidence, but we noticed a number of individual national park websites have put out “where you can camp near the park” information releases recently. Does that mean these parks are expecting higher-than-normal in-park campground use? Or that despite the Interior Department chief’s direction, it just might be impossible to stretch staffers thin enough to cover the needs?
Park Service already down 20%, then another 6%
There certainly is reason to wonder about it. “Staffing to operate national parks had already fallen by 20 percent since 2010, and now we’re seeing at least a 6 percent loss in Park Service staffing in less than three months—and that’s a very conservative estimate,” John Garder told National Parks Traveler. “We’ve never seen such a devastating assault on the dedicated staff of the Park Service, and if this keeps up, we’re looking at a park system gutted of its experts who don’t just provide for visitors but research and protect those irreplaceable resources people go to enjoy.”
Garder tracks budget and appropriations issues for the National Parks Conservation Association. On top of his concerns about staffing cuts, he pointed to a major decision that rangers and other staff had to make earlier this week. Wednesday was the deadline for many Park Service employees to accept a federal buyout offer: Quit now and still receive pay through September. It remains unclear how many chose to take the offer, and what the impact on park staffing will be.
Park Service staffing issues will affect RVers and other visitors. We’d like to hear your experiences as you visit national parks. Please leave comments below.
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I have been to a lot of the National Parks, National Monuments, Historical venues, etc., and been camping and traveling to these destinations for a very long time, over 50 years. I can offer some suggestions, one of which is put on your big boy pants, and get to work – maybe you’ll have to do more than expected, but I’ve seen nothing but a leisurely pace in every park service employee since forever. In the private sector, you would be thankful to still have a job, in the Federal Government Buracracy – everybody is a victim. Sorry, no sympathy here; in the 80’s due to a DEADBEAT ex, I had 2 kids under 5, & to work 15 hrs a day & weekends, for 3 years to survive.
Interesting article. So since the Obama administration, National Parks have been cut by 20% and no one reported on that. But under Trump, they cut 6% and now it’s a problem. Many of us who have been to National Parks or Army Corps Campgrounds have noticed how maintenance, even things like painting has not been getting done. In November of last year, the Biden administration put a freeze on hiring 5,000 part time workers. Again no headlines. I believe we need to put more money into the budget for maintenance at federal campgrounds. If they have to raise camping fees a little, I’m ok with that. If it means raising entrance fees a little, fine. Get er done.
Agree! Maintenance not administration!
If I read this article correctly, NPS staff is down a total of 26% since 2010. It seems to me like they have already cut out all the fat and are down to meat and bones now. Perhaps they are already down to the best of the best. Now let’s ORDER the few remaining to do even more with less. Sounds like someone wants the NPS to fail so they can start developing or selling off parts. Maybe some increases in logging or mining on NPS land. Maybe even some big, beautiful, golf courses. We don’t have enough of those.
That’s exactly right!!! And we have to stop them.
Remember what’s going on next time you vote and vote accordingly.
Exactly!!!
That’s exactly what I did in 2024. It worked!
YES! fiscal management. Stop the bleeding of our country dry.
Just like we did last November.
The park management/employees handle this just like the last government ‘shutdown’. Close parks and monuments to create the greatest impact on the public in an attempt to garner public support for your ’cause’. As MISSPAT333 says, just do the job even if you need to work a bit harder, shift some employees around, better manage the funds you receive. Not much different that how my wife and I manage our own household.
Exactly correct, John. Even in private enterprise, when asked to come back with a plan for cuts, the first pass many managers did in the big international I worked for was pony up the critical projects they knew wouldn’t be cut. Never worked, but they tried. They were sent back to act like real managers and get their missions done with fewer staff…AND THEY DID! No one ever said management is easy.
I personally wish the NPS didn’t have to take cuts, but everyone is going to have to give if this country is to get its out-of-control fiscal house in order.
This is an absolute disgrace. They need more funding..not less. America is being destroyed…but we shall rise up.
We already rose up, last November. If you look at the big picture, do you honestly believe park staffing is high priority? Do you realize Americans lived for a really long time without national parks?
Oh, and were you also this upset when Joe Biden cut park staff, or is it just your loathing of the current president that elicits such a response?
Visitors need to police themselves when enjoying our park facilities. Help pick up trash off the ground, etc.. I once used a mens restroom at the Grand Canyon, I noticed a used disposable diaper left sitting by the sink! I grabbed a wad of paper towels and threw it away. Some Visitors feel entitled and expect others to pick up after them. These parks belong to us, and it is our job to protect them.
Right on Gary – this is exactly my thinking as well. If you see a piece of stray paper – pick it up! We have teams of volunteer groups cleaning up our highways – why not parks! I’ve about given up on educating the “I am entitled” group to pick up after yourself. Some pics posted in this newsletter have shown what people leave laying around. Sad and totally unnecessary! This is only a start – I know Rangers do law enforcement, provide aid and assistance, road and tree maint. and numerous other duties however, we can help by cleaning up after ourselves – a chore they wouldn’t have to do!
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Great comment Gary! My husband and I recently spent a month in the Corpus Christi area of Texas in several of the State Parks. On the beach, we saw people other than ourselves who simply take the time and effort to pick up trash. Port Aransas actually has reusable net-type bags you can use for trash while enjoying the beach and simply return them to the trash can area for the next person to use…and yes people were using them 😃
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Better get used to it. This is not a one time thing. The Red Tsunami is here to stay and will continue way longer than 4 years.
The American people have decided they have had enough crammed down their throats and have demanded that things change.
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Yes Mia, lets just spend, spend, spend! America is already being destroyed…by the very likes of people who just want to keep throwing “unlimited” money at everything. SMDH!!!
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That is what we are doing now, Mia. We rose up in 2016 and 2024 and are fighting back against years of failed liberal policies.
So I ask, Rise up against what, Mia? Fiscal sanity? Balanced budgets? A brighter future for our children’s children? This is the revolution, join us. Liberalism is done.
I noticed the opening photo shows a 40% loss of staffing. The article says down 26% OVER 15 YEARS! Is that picture someone’s version of truth and honesty in reporting?
If the picture were representative of the current 6% then of 10 people shown, a tad more than one half of one of the people would be greyed out. But then, that wouldn’t have the untruthful impact that is intended, would it? 🤔
Great observation Mikal!
Anyone in the business world over the last 40 years has experienced the exact same thing. Being told to do more with less resources – and then getting it done. No one ever liked working harder but it also forced us to work smarter – something the government needs practice at. Make better use of volunteers for starters – how about trade a week of work for a tax credit? This President is forcing everyone to think which is good for man and nature alike, or at least those still able to think.
Well said Uncle Swags! Oh what a world it could be!
Good for nature? You are delusional
What’s wrong with thinking about what’s good for man and nature alike? Delusional? How?
Everyone calls for volunteers. Is there even enough money to cover the insurance for volunteers? I’ll bet not.
Our son was let go from Park he worked at 🙁
He will be missed. When things were good the parks were understaffed. Now??
When you’re $36T in the hole and continue digging this is part of the hard decisions that are going to have to be made and continue to be made.
Most NPS hotels and many NPS campgrounds, as well as recreation.gov, are already run by corporations and concessionaires. Think Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, etc. So if park visitors are inconvenienced enough by the recent NPS personnel reductions to overwhelm Congress with complaints, the solution is quite obvious. Contract those NPS services to private corporations. The contractors will hire workers at 25% higher salaries than the replaced Federal employees made, then add a 43% overhead charge and a 10% profit to those higher salaries. And that’s how the Feds cut costs!
Bingo. Privatizing was always the goal.
Whether it is the National Parks or any other federal government-run agency, I see nothing wrong with trimming the fringe and re-shaping how things have been done for the past several decades. One only has to look at the mismanagement of the United States Postal Service or Veterans Administration to see how federal government agencies are run. About time someone is willing to take the public’s flak to make the National Parks and other federal agencies run better for all Americans to benefit.
I agree completely! That’s one reason the current administration was overwhelmingly elected…to clean up the waste and fraud in government agencies. The majority of American’s are fed up with how things were managed (or not managed), especially under the last administration and even going back several administrations. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. It’s time for a drastic change in how our government is run, and the current administration is doing just that. It’s going to be an interesting ride!
The picture….presenting opinion as fact.
We were just in a park. Looked to me to be over staffed with 5 or 6 in the gate office. And infrastructure crumbling. But wages and pensions very good.
You might think budgeting is tough now. This is nothing compared to what the international bankers would dictate if our fiscal situation isn’t cleaned up.
I live amongst the “Mighty Five.” IMO, for the last decade, the staff haven’t been taking care of these parks. I think a new management plan needs to be implemented and they need to hire staff that will do the physical work, rather than hang out in the visitor center.
How do you know the visitor center isn’t staffed with volunteers? I’ve been touring the parks for 18 mos and every one has volunteer staff. The paid employees are out doing the hard work.
Typical deep state response by the NPS during initial cutbacks – let’s stall, let’s force closings and cut services, not because we can’t get it done with fewer staff but because we won’t so we make the President look bad. I’ve been visiting National Parks for decades and am always shocked at how extremely poorly they are run and how lazy so many staff members appear to be! Put on your big boy pants and get the job done like so many of us in private enterprise have done for decades. Find a way to be exceptional instead of the endless whining of pretend victims!
Park visitors can all help with our out of control liberal spending in this country. I have a Sr. pass which, if memory serves, was issued under Pres. Clinton. (I also have a veterans pass). While I am “entitled” to free entry- I always give a check (no cash!) donation to the park which I hope stays with the park – you can do the same! Add a buck or a few as a donation – might even be tax deductible to boot! Pick up after yourself and follow the rules so Ranger enforcement time can be spent on productive ranger activities like trees and wildlife management. Also, foreigners should pay a little more as our parks are tax payer funded.
Our national parks revenue already far exceed the cost. Your donation is likely welcomed, but cost isn’t what’s driving the reductions.
Not true
What happened to volunteering. My sister and I full timed for ten years and volunteered. We didn’t want pay just a full service site. It’s time to ask for public help
That’s what I pay taxes for. I expect the government to do its job and fully service and protect our national lands. I want trained career professionals doing this, not a bunch of volunteers. There are places for volunteers, but not at the levels of staffing being cut.
While I hate to suggest an overuse of volunteers, they could really reduce costs by having volunteers do a lot of the work. Now for that to work, volunteers need to be provided a FHU site and can probably be expected to only volunteer 20 hours a week. Which could conceivably mean many volunteers filing many campsites. But volunteers need to be supported. In the National Forest positions in my area (northern Cali), volunteers and employees alike are being burnt out by bad actors (visitors who break rules, trash the forest, threaten people with guns, etc.) and no law enforcement to come help.
Good move by the secretary. As with all workforce reductions, the clear message should be that the work still needs to get done. This gives the site managers a chance to show what they can do.
Within reason there is nothing wrong with “Superintendents will need to scramble.” With the interim budget passed by Congress there isn’t any other option.
There are too many times that Washington Bureaucrats and the minions rush to shut down when the expected hiccups of budget votes don’t go their agendas way. When Obama had the same budget issues, they quickly closed off the national Monuments and we had a flight of WWII Honor Flights Veterans trying to see and visit them. Our local Congressman arrived and personally pulled the barricades away to allow us in. No one was around to stop him and we had old warriors getting to see the great American Monuments.🇺🇸
Ah yes, the old “do less with less”
Sometimes doing less is being smarter…
Doing less in the case of our parks and forest means vital services are neglected. That just seems dumb to me.
That’s the point… “vital” services…those are NOT the target. Getting rid of misused and abused spending is the target and that is not “dumb”…Tax payers deserve to have their hard earned dollars channeled into making our National Parks the best they can be! Listening to the main stream media seems “dumb” to me…facts matter 🇺🇸
LOL. You think they had actual targets? How many people in various orgs were laid off only to be recalled very quickly? To date, I’ve seen zero proof of fraud, waste or abuse in any agency but in particular the NPS.
Ok, here’s what’s actually happening. We spoke to the ranger manning a remote station while we were dispersed camping. He sees maybe 2-3 people per day. They’ve lost 6 rangers to the cuts. He said he was supposed to be out patrolling the vast area for rescues, dangerous rock slides, fires, etc, but had to keep the ranger station open instead. He loves his job and wants to hang on as long as he can, but isn’t optimistic.
People, these folks are highly trained, dedicated and hardworking. This job isn’t for sissies. There is no waste here. They’re already treading water. When they are ordered to “keep everything open” something has to give. I hope it isn’t the rescue you need one day.
160 of us just spent the weekend enjoying the DC monuments. All venues were very crowded with visitors and fully operational. If there are staffing losses it was not apparent to us. Maybe later, but not now.
Maybe the higher ups should try doing what they are telling the actual park staff to do. “Don’t tell someone to do something YOU aren’t willing to do”. Lead from the front lines not from some rear eschelon area.
Thank you for the information, Russ and Tina! I typically find national parks too crowded to have any desire to visit any. However, if the shortage of employees persists long enough that the number of annual visitors falls enough (say by half, or more), then I would be much more willing to consider them. As is, I’ll wait. Have a great day and safe travels!