On February 14th, 2025 around 1,000 National Park Service (NPS) employees were fired. This was part of a larger effort by President Trump and Elon Musk to lower the size of the federal workforce. Because of the already understaffed service, many National Parks are facing the consequences of these layoffs, such as closed trails and difficulties keeping these parks clean and safe. Right before the peak of the summer season, these losses are sure to be noticed by many. 

According to NPR, the Trump Administration has allowed the NPS to fill 7,700 temporary seasonal positions, which is higher than the average from the past three years which is around 6,350. While “that’s really good news,” said Bill Wade, the executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers, due to the short period they have before the peak season, finding and hiring the needed number of employees will not be without challenges. 

Keeping the parks clean and leading programs are only two of the many responsibilities of the NPS workers, but they are very important to the experience of visitors as well as the parks and nature. According to WUSA9 News, at Yosemite National Park, “officials have indefinitely stopped the sale of summer permits for select campgrounds, leaving many outdoor enthusiasts scrambling for alternatives.” These changes are directly affecting visitors already, with shut down trails and limited ranger-led programs that stop visitors from experiencing the full national parks. 

Not only do these layoffs affect the experience of visiting national parks, but also the safety of visitors. Alex Wild, who has been a park ranger for 15 years and was recently fired, was one of the park’s only EMTs, and first responder for emergencies which is crucial to the safety of visitors, as he assisted in many incidents every week, said Outside Magazine. EMTs are not the only type of workers fired that are crucial to safety, wildlife biologists are ecologists who test water safety are another 2 of the many positions that need to be filled. 

Around another 700 NPS workers reportedly took buyouts and retired early. However, for the workers who were unaware of their jobs being lost, they are not staying silent. One of the most notable protests, reported by the Washington Post, is the upside-down flag being hung 2,000 feet high on El Capitan’s wall; this protest is meant to signal dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. 

While President Trump has signed over 70 executive orders since he took office on January 20th, this is possibly one of the worst decisions made for the safety of our country. Firing around 1,000 NPS workers creates many dangerous possibilities for visitors as well as endangering the environment around us. National Parks are one of our nation’s greatest treasures, in beauty as well as for protecting our environment and keeping our country clean. 

Visiting national parks is a common occurrence on breaks and holidays by American citizens and international visitors. Parks such as Yosemite and Yellowstone are known world-wide, and for a good reason. I have enjoyed many visits to parks across the country and the possibility that the next visit could be one without the help that so many rangers and workers provide is extremely disheartening.