Tell Congress: Stop Elon Musk and DOGE
From Destroying Our National Parks
Common Dreams
(March 17, 2025) — Donald Trump has empowered Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to make drastic cuts to the federal workforce across all agencies.
At the National Park Service that’s meant the indiscriminate termination of 1,000 workers already — more are expected. In addition, the administration has reportedly rescinded job offers for roughly 2,000 seasonal hires just as the NPS has begun preparing for the upcoming Spring and Summer month rushes. Typically, roughly 8,000 workers are hired annually to cover the busy season. It’s unknown if they’ll have any seasonal hires at all this year.
Over 300 million people visit National Parks in America each year. These temporary staffers do everything from collect entry fees to guide tours, manage and repair trails, clean restrooms, remove trash and more.
These cuts mean that the general stewardship of our National Parks will be in danger.
During the first Trump administration, the extended government shutdown had a devastating impact that included unsupervised visitors tearing down protected Joshua trees to use as firewood. That shutdown only lasted 35 days. The changes being demanded by DOGE could be permanent.
There have been protests at all 433 National Parks across the United States. People are standing up and fighting back.
They report long lines and even longer wait times. Trail closures, the lack of access to amenities such as bathrooms or campgrounds and even search and rescue operations could be impacted as well if appropriate staffing is not restored. The result means less people want to come into the park which in turn means less money for the local economy. Considering National Parks alone generate more than $40 billion a year, the lost revenue is likely to be significant.
THE LETTER
Stop Elon Musk from
destroying our National Parks
Over 300 million people visit National Parks in America each year, generating more than $40 billion in revenue.
Now, Donald Trump has empowered Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to make drastic cuts to the federal workforce across all agencies. At the National Park Service that’s meant the indiscriminate termination of 1,000 workers already — more are expected.
In addition, the administration has reportedly rescinded job offers for roughly 2,000 seasonal hires just as the NPS has begun preparing for the upcoming Spring and Summer month rushes. Typically, roughly 8,000 workers are hired annually to cover the busy season. Thanks to Musk, our National Parks may not have any seasonal hires at all this year.
National Park Service staff do everything from collect entry fees to guide tours, manage and repair trails, clean restrooms, remove trash and more. Already with the cuts in staffing there are reports of long lines and even longer wait times. Trail closures, the lack of access to amenities such as bathrooms or campgrounds and even search and rescue operations could be impacted as well if appropriate staffing is not restored.
The result will mean less people want to come into the park which in turn means less money for the local economy. The lost revenue is likely to be significant.
I’m writing to call on you to step up and fight for me. You must stop Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from destroying our National Parks.
