Overview

• The Trump administration reversed a hiring freeze for 7,700 seasonal National Park Service employees but upheld layoffs of 1,000 permanent NPS workers and over 2,000 Forest Service staff.
• Park rangers warn of reduced visitor center hours, diminished maintenance, and potential partial closures in some parks due to understaffing.
• The National Parks Conservation Association highlights risks to public safety, resource protection, and visitor experience as parks struggle to handle increasing visitation.
• Some parks, including Yosemite and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, have already announced service reductions and closures on specific days, citing staffing shortages.
• Advocates and former employees express concerns about the long-term impact on park operations and the morale of future rangers.