Protecting National Parks: Why They Need Us More Than Ever
America’s national parks and forests are more than scenic backdrops, they’re living treasures. From the granite cliffs of Yosemite to the mossy woods of the Pacific Northwest, these spaces offer connection, adventure, and peace to millions every year.
But right now, these places are under pressure, and the need to protect them is urgent.
The Legacy of Policy Setbacks
In recent years, especially during the Trump administration, a series of policy shifts made long-term impacts on our national parks and public lands. While some of these changes have since been reversed, the ripple effects remain.
Here’s what happened and why it still matters:
🔹Reduced funding and staff cuts: Budget reductions to the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service led to fewer rangers, trail closures, and delayed maintenance.
🔹Privatization proposals: Pushes to allow more private business operations inside national parks raised red flags about commercialization and habitat disruption.
🔹Oil and gas leasing near protected lands: Expanding extractive industries near sensitive ecosystems weakened environmental safeguards.
🔹Reduced protections for public lands: National monument boundaries were slashed for areas like Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, exposing previously protected lands to development.
While efforts have been made to restore protections, underfunding, overuse, and climate stress continue to put our parks at risk. That’s why public support and involvement are more important than ever.
What You Can Do to Help Protect National Parks
You don’t need to be a full-time activist to make a real difference. Here’s how you can get involved, wherever you live.
(Hoodie in picture available here)
1. Contact Your Representatives
Decisions about funding, land protections, and conservation are made in Congress. Call or write to your elected officials and ask them to:
🔹Increase funding for the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service
🔹Restore full staffing and maintenance budgets
🔹Uphold strong protections for public lands
Not sure who represents you? Find out at usa.gov/elected-officials
You can find your representatives’ contact information at www.usa.gov/elected-officials.
2. Support Grassroots Conservation Groups
Nonprofits working on the front lines of conservation need support. These organizations monitor legislation, take legal action when necessary, and build coalitions that protect public lands:
🔹National Parks Conservation Association
Donating, volunteering, or even sharing their work online helps amplify their impact.
3. Be a Responsible Visitor
If you’re planning a park trip, travel in a way that helps, not harms:
🔹Follow Leave No Trace: Pack out your waste, stay on trails, and respect wildlife from a distance.
🔹Plan ahead: Many parks have fewer rangers and services than before. Be prepared with maps, gear, and backup plans.
🔹Support gateway communities: Eat, shop, and stay at small businesses near the parks. These towns rely on eco-tourism to thrive.
4. Volunteer in the Parks or at Home
Volunteering is one of the most direct ways to give back. From trail maintenance to clean-up days and educational programs, there are opportunities for every ability level.
Check out the National Park Service’s volunteer page to get started, or look into local organizations working on restoration and stewardship.
5. Raise Awareness and Stay Informed
Change starts with awareness. Follow environmental news, share articles, and talk to others about the issues facing public lands.
If you have a platform, whether it’s a blog, TikTok, or your community group, use it to spotlight national parks and the threats they face. Sharing your love for the outdoors can inspire others to take action, too.
Why It All Matters
National parks are more than destinations, they’re part of our collective story. These places preserve biodiversity, offer healing, and give future generations a chance to fall in love with the wild.
Protecting public lands isn’t political, it’s personal. It's about making sure that every child can still look up at a star-filled sky or hear the rush of a waterfall without traffic noise in the background.
So whether you're hiking, advocating, donating, or simply spreading the word, you’re helping. And that’s what these places need most: people who care enough to act.
👣 Take the Next Step
Love this guide? Share it. Save it. Talk about it. The more we speak up, the more these parks stay protected.
And if you want to wear your values on your sleeve, check out our sustainable outdoor gear, ethically made, built for adventure, and inspired by wild places worth protecting.