National parks as we know them are nearly at their breaking point, facing a staffing crisis and the growing impacts of climate change. Yet with the right resources and action, we can strengthen these treasured places against both.
National parks face constant climate threats, including unprecedented storms in Acadia and the Blue Ridge Parkway and wildfires in Grand Canyon National Park, and more frequent and intense hurricanes in the Everglades.
Our parks face two alarming threats: a growing staffing crisis, and the threat of climate change.
And now parks across the country are trying to keep up and running with nearly a quarter fewer staff since January alone. Still, they’re expected to bring amazing visitor experiences all year round. To make matters more dire, the unpredictable impacts of climate change will transform park landscapes for generations to come, further challenging staff to meet this unprecedented moment.
It’s a critical time for Congress to ensure national parks and the communities that rely on them are able to prepare for and recover from climate disasters.
These floods, fires and hurricanes are happening for longer and causing more damage to parks than ever, all with actions against park staffing that could cause catastrophe. In order to face severe weather events, and longer-term impacts of climate change, parks need funding and staffing, so when parks recover from increasing threats to fragile resources, they don’t find themselves without the support they need from Congress.
Our parks need action now and cannot wait.
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