National Parks Traveler

Adding insult to injury, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo on February 26, 2025, directing all federal agencies to submit their plans for a systematic Reduction in Force (RIF) by March 13. This lands with a thud on the National Park Service after it has already had over 1,000 probationary employees fired*, an unknown number taking the deferred resignation, and a start-stop-start again on seasonal hiring.

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By Kurt Repanshek - March 2nd, 2025 2:30am

Parkwide Burn Ban At Great Smoky Mountains

Continued dry conditions, winds, and high fire danger in the park prompting a ban on all campfires and charcoal use, effective immediately at Great Smoky Mountains National park. The fire ban will be in effect until further notice on both the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the park.

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By Rebecca Latson - March 1st, 2025 4:30pm

Retired National Park Service Chief Scientist Stresses Value Of Parks to Interior Secretary

In an open letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, a former chief scientist for the National Park Service asked that he highlight for President Donald Trump that America's national parks "are the embodiment of patriotism and a remarkable example of American exceptionalism."

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By Kurt Repanshek - March 1st, 2025 2:30am

495 Outdoor Organizations Sign Letter To Congress Demanding Action On Firings

Hundreds of outdoor groups sign on to letter urging Congress to reverse public lands worker firings.

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By justin.housman - March 1st, 2025 2:15am

Staffing Issues May Affect Your 2025 National Park Plans

Planning a national park trip in 2025? If there is a tour, ranger-led program, campsite, or any other park event for which you need a reservation, you’d better be prepared for staffing issues to affect some of those plans.

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By Rebecca Latson - February 28th, 2025 2:18pm

Op-Ed | Public Lands Are Part Of Our Nation’s Inheritance

America's public lands are one of the Nation's most outstanding achievements. Public lands are part of every citizen's heritage and an essential part of the national inheritance. It is especially vital to the people living in the western states, where we enjoy an abundance of public land.

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 28th, 2025 5:10am

Hawaiian Bird Species At Risk Of Extinction From Halt In Federal Funding

A federal hold on funding could upend a novel approach to preventing mosquitoes from sending a number of Hawaiian bird species into extinction.

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 27th, 2025 5:53pm

NPS To Begin White-Tailed Deer Management Planning For Select National Parks Of Western Pennsylvania

Deer will be culled at several Pennsylvania NPS units soon and the Park Service invites the public to learn more about the operation.

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By justin.housman - February 27th, 2025 2:40am

House And Senate Committees Demand Transparency From Trump Admin On Public Lands

Members of the House and Senate have called on Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to provide transparency on an “action plan” that could weaken protections for public lands.

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By justin.housman - February 26th, 2025 2:13pm

Economics And Public Opinion Favor A Healthy National Park Service

Voters across the country are greatly concerned over the health of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service in the wake of the firing of more than 3,000 federal workers by the Trump administration, according to polling out Wednesday.