The government shutdown has reached 38 days, making it the longest in American history, and there is little hope that it will end soon. With Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum saying that the shutdown is serving as proof that the Park Service does not need so much funding, many worry that the shutdown could have lasting effects on the National Park Service.
The Association of National Park Rangers has noted that national parks may look okay, but considering that all of the scientists, educators, and trail maintenance crews have been furloughed, the real damage being done to the parks will not be obvious until the government reopens.
As parks continue to struggle during the shutdown, Burgum drew widespread criticism this week as he traveled to the Middle East. Critics say that Burgum should be at his desk addressing the serious problems within the agencies under his purview at a time when parks are suffering and park rangers are going without pay.
“Instead of doing anything to help our parks and rangers who are suffering without pay, Burgum instead is continuing to draw his unmerited paycheck and fighting in court to fire thousands more park rangers — all while getting as far away from the situation on the ground at our parks as possible,” said Bill Wade, executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers. “It is high time for Burgum to do his job and provide the National Park Service and its employees with the support they desperately need.”
Parks across the country worry about the effects the ongoing shutdown will have in the long run. For example, Utah’s parks typically start posting upcoming seasonal jobs in November and December, noted the Utah News Dispatch, but that isn’t likely to happen in the shutdown, meaning the parks may enter 2026 more understaffed than they already are.
Throughout the shutdown, reports of illegal BASE jumping, graffiti, and pets in the parks have surfaced, and there are likely many other incidents taking place that aren’t being reported.
Efforts to remove signs that “disparage” American history have also continued, as well as efforts to increase oil and gas development near national park lands.
Friends groups and NPS unions are doing what they can to support the parks and park staff during the shutdown, but while this may mitigate some of the short-term pain, it remains to be seen if it will help reduce the potential long-term damage being caused by an extended lack of government funding.
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