Protests Erupt Across U.S. Over National Park Job Cuts

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. — Thousands of protesters gathered at national parks across the United States on Saturday to voice their opposition to recent federal job cuts affecting public lands. The demonstrations were held in response to President Donald Trump’s administration, which laid off approximately 3,000 employees from the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service in a bid to reduce government spending.

As crowds marched with handmade signs reading “Protect our parks,” demonstrators expressed deep concerns about the future of national parks and the effects of staffing reductions on public safety and park maintenance. Many cited fears of longer waits for park access, deteriorating facilities, and increased risks for visitors as a result of the cuts.

“We need to stop the nonsense,” said John Goodwin, a retired park service employee, during a protest at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco. “We need to hire back the people who were fired, not only at national parks but every federal employee who has lost their job in the last six weeks.”

The widespread terminations, first announced on February 14, led to a 5% reduction of staff within the National Park Service and a 10% cut in the U.S. Forest Service, which maintains thousands of miles of hiking and recreational trails. As a result, visitors have reported increased litter, dirty restrooms, and fewer services across popular parks.

In a statement, the Associated Press reported that amidst the backlash, the administration planned to reinstate at least 50 positions and bring in nearly 3,000 seasonal workers for the summer.

Protester Peri Sasnett from Providence, Rhode Island, who demonstrated at the Roger Williams National Memorial, emphasized the importance of public lands for all Americans. “Federal agencies and federal employees work on behalf of the American people,” she said, urging the administration to rehire terminated workers.

In Washington state, local resident Austin Woods joined more than 50 individuals protesting at the Whitman Mission National Historic Site. “Sometimes it feels like there’s not a whole lot that we can do in the current political environment,” he said. “But one thing that we can do is be present, be vocal, and be passionate.”

The cuts have not only affected staff morale but also conservation efforts. Andria Townsend, a former carnivore biologist at Yosemite National Park who lost her job via email, voiced her concern for endangered species she helped protect, including the Sierra Nevada red fox and the Pacific fisher. “The future of conservation just feels very uncertain,” she stated.

Long-term Forest Service employees Claire Thompson and Xander Demetrios, both recently let go, criticized the reasoning behind their terminations, which cited performance issues. “It’s been hurtful – insulting – to just feel like your work is so devalued,” said Thompson, who described her commitment to maintaining trails and ensuring visitor safety. Both expressed worry about the future of parks and public safety in light of reduced staffing.

As protests unfolded, John Garder of the National Parks Conservation Association warned travelers planning visits to national parks to expect ongoing issues, such as increased litter and shorter services. “If the administration doesn’t reverse these policies, visitors are going to need to lower their expectations,” he said.

With summer approaching, the ramifications of staff reductions could jeopardize wildfire safety and response efforts in national parks. Dan Hilden, a wildland firefighter, emphasized the vital roles of park staff in maintaining safety during fire season, stating, “Every year things have been getting worse as the staffing issues go. This year is going to be a lot worse,” he warned.