National parks need more than just admiration/Rebecca Latson file
A Critical Moment for National Parks
America’s national parks are at a crossroads. From the storied walls of Alcatraz Island in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) to the towering granite face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. But behind the beauty lies a mounting crisis: our national parks are aging, underfunded, and increasingly at risk. Love alone won’t save them.
National parks are at a turning point. With more than 400 park units facing crumbling infrastructure, shrinking staff, and uncertain budgets, we’re jeopardizing access to the very places that define us. The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), passed in 2020, gave us a shot at reversing this decline. But unless Congress acts now to reauthorize this landmark investment before it expires this year, we risk losing that momentum—and with it, our ability to protect these places for future generations.
Bipartisan Action Is Needed To Protect Our Parks
As leaders of two of the nation's largest nonprofit national park friends groups, we know what it takes to protect the places people love most. We’ve dedicated our careers to stewarding public lands, and one truth remains constant: parks can’t thrive without consistent, long-term investment.
Chris led infrastructure planning as superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park, General Superintendent of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and director of the National Park Service’s Pacific West Region. Cassius spent a decade leading Great Smoky Mountains National Park following 18 years with the U.S. Forest Service, where maintaining roads, trails, and visitor facilities was essential to keeping up with growing demand.
That’s why we’re encouraged by the America the Beautiful Act, introduced in 2024 by Senators Angus King (I-ME), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND). The bill would reauthorize the Great American Outdoors Act and invest $11 billion over eight years to tackle the maintenance backlog across federal lands. It’s a bold, bipartisan step—and it needs to keep moving.
Our national parks have always united Americans across geography, politics, and generations. Now, it’s up to Congress to do the same.
National Parks Need Investment, Not Just Admiration
The Great American Outdoors Act isn’t perfect. It’s funded by revenue from oil, gas, coal, and alternative energy development on federal lands and waters—a model some say conflicts with environmental goals.
But here’s the reality: GAOA is one of the most effective bipartisan tools we have for protecting public lands. It’s already delivered billions in overdue repairs—critical improvements that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. Until a better solution emerges, reauthorizing GAOA is our best shot at keeping national parks open, safe, and accessible.
Our parks operate like small cities. From Grand Teton to the Everglades to the National Mall, staff don’t just open visitor centers—they manage roads, power grids, wastewater systems, and emergency services.
Consider Yellowstone, where GAOA funds are restoring an 85-year-old bridge over the Gardner River—avoiding a potential transportation crisis. In Big Bend, the act is rebuilding the Chisos Mountains Lodge, replacing crumbling waterlines and upgrading facilities for visitor safety and sustainability.
Yet the need far exceeds the funding. The backlog of deferred maintenance across the National Park System has ballooned to $23 billion—jeopardizing the experience and safety of millions of visitors.
GAOA funds are being used to make repairs at Alcatraz Island in Gold Gate National Recreation Area/NPS file
Investing In California’s National Parks
The Great American Outdoors Act is a game-changer—but it can’t do it all. Federal dollars alone won’t secure the future of our parks. That’s where public-private partnerships come in. Philanthropic support helps fund science and education programs like the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory and Outdoor Adventure Programs— ensuring parks don’t just survive but thrive.
California is home to some of the most visited and ecologically significant parks in the nation. In 2024, the Golden Gate national parks welcomed 19.2 million visitors—more than any other park unit. Yosemite drew 4.1 million.
These parks aren’t just beautiful—they’re economic engines. Golden Gate visitors generated $2 billion in activity in 2023, supporting 13,000 jobs. Yosemite contributed $725 million to the state’s economy. GAOA helps fuel this momentum by strengthening the infrastructure that supports access, safety, and jobs.
At Golden Gate, GAOA is funding a $40.2 million stabilization of Alcatraz Wharf, securing the iconic landing for millions of future visitors. Yosemite is receiving $34.2 million for seismic upgrades at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel— protecting a cultural landmark while improving visitor safety.
More Than Infrastructure—A Commitment To Future Generations
These projects do more than patch roads or reinforce buildings—they protect stories, safeguard ecosystems, and ensure future generations can experience the magic of our national parks.
Parks aren’t just scenic backdrops. They’re living classrooms, climate sanctuaries, economic drivers, and places where people connect to something bigger than themselves.
This National Park Week, we’re reminded how deeply people cherish these places—but love, no matter how heartfelt, isn’t enough. Lasting protection requires action, investment, and the political will to match the public’s passion.
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