America’s national parks and the employees who protect them are under threat like never before. Many Americans are concerned, but what can we do to help?
Here are five concrete things that we can all do to help US national parks. I promise you, each of these actions will make a difference, and if we all do them together, no one can take away our parks.
If you have money (and let’s face it, in this economy you may not), consider donating to organizations whose sole purpose is to support and protect national parks.
The National Park Foundation (NPF) was chartered by the US Congress as the official charity partner of the National Park Service and supports programming and projects in individual parks. The National Park Conservation Association (NPCA) is an independent and member-run organization devoted to advocating for America’s national parks.
Both organizations lobby Congress to increase national park protections and funding. Money given to the NPF or the NPCA Park Protection Fund will support activists who are speaking directly to those in power.
If you are a US citizen, reach out to your representatives in Congress. Let them know how you feel about your national parks and how you’d like to see them remain federally protected. The NPCA has scripts you can use when calling or that are ready to send as emails to your congresspeople.
5 Calls is a phone app that will connect you easily with your representatives by giving you their phone numbers, scripts for what to say, and other instructions for first-time callers.
It takes only a couple of minutes to call a Congressperson, but hearing from their actual constituents can make a big impact. Calling is an important (and free) way to let your voice be heard.
Following the recent mass firings of national park staff, there have been numerous public protests in national parks across the country, like those in Yellowstone. If you are lucky enough to live near a national park or want to travel to one and make your voice heard, join a protest or organize one yourself. And you don’t have to protest only in national parks; attend or organize a protest with like-minded people in your own community.
If you do want to organize a protest in a national park, check out their rules and permits.
4. Speak out on social media
Another free way to protest the assault on national parks and their employees is to speak out on social media. Add your voice to those publicly supporting national parks; our collective voices make a difference.
Even if you are not eager to put out your own content, you can make an impact by sharing and liking the messages of others speaking on behalf of national parks. Follow individuals and organizations fighting to protect national parks, and promote the stories of park employees and park supporters.
5. Be a respectful visitor
America’s national parks are about to be understaffed and overrun, especially during the busy summer months.
A similar situation happened during Trump’s government shutdown in early 2019, when national parks were forced to stay open with limited staff. The results were dire–restrooms shuttered, trash cans overflowing, wildlife endangered (many from consuming trash), precious resources like archaeological sites and rare plants damaged, and park visitors left with no protection or assistance during emergencies.
The same may happen during the busy times in national parks if they are understaffed. National parks may even be harmed by some of their less respectful visitors.
But you don’t have to be one of these visitors. You can be prepared by avoiding busy times in parks, bringing extra food and other supplies you might need in case of long lines or limited resources, bringing trash bags so you can take out whatever trash you create, and even bringing WAG (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) bags so that you are prepared if restrooms are unavailable during your visit.
And if what you see happening to national parks during your visit upsets you, let it fuel your phone calls, your protests, and whatever else you are doing to support America’s national parks.
Bonus: Support other public lands
America’s national parks are iconic and popular the world over, which is why they receive the most attention when in danger, but they are not the only federal public lands that are under threat. Thousands of US Forest Service employees have been terminated since Trump took office, an estimated 10% of the agency’s workforce.
Workers at the Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other agencies that protect and support federal public lands are under attack. These employees clear trails, pick up trash, fight fires, and create safe spaces for America’s precious wildlife, plant life, and other natural treasures.
You can take all the actions listed above to help these agencies and their employees too. And if you don’t regularly visit a federal public land near you, take time to show up and offer them support.