Planning to visit a National Park this year?

I'm going to generalize HUGELY, here, but I think there's at least a grain of truth in what I say:

a lot of people (probably a large percentage-- that's a total guess?) will probably never visit one of our National Parks in their lifetime, or any historic site, or anything else like that. A lot of people, if asked, probably don't see any benefit to having and maintaining such places. Republicans included. I mean, if they get rid of support personnel in the federal agencies because they don't actually do any 'real work' then what good is paying to maintain a ginormous hole in the ground (Grand Canyon), some random desert, woods, etc., or some random old house (any historic site)??

A lot of people are so shortsighted they don't 'get' that these things ARE VALUABLE. For cultural identity, history, education, as WELL as tourist dollars. A lot of people probably would say 'who cares' if you told them a new genus and species of plant was found in Big Bend. People are SOOO disconnected from EVERYTHING that they don't see that we- ALL LIFE on the planet - are interconnected and it's all important. They think that whole 'butterfly flapping its wings influencing something halfway around the world' idea is a bunch of crap. They DON'T SEE that ruining the climate, paving over everything, etc. is bad for all of us in the long run. For them, there IS no 'long term' or 'big picture.' 


They are out for themselves, and they don't care about everyone else.  THAT is the Republican agenda nowadays. If they DID care about ANYTHING, they WOULD NOT HAVE VOTED AGAINST THEIR OWN BEST INTERESTS. 

Thanks for thinking of us!  My husband works for a concessionaire and so far has been fine (I doubt they will cancel the contracts). I read they fired ten people here at the South Rim, some of them worked the gate entrance. So far I haven't noticed a big impact, but we are just now starting to pick up for spring. The park is always crowded and busy during spring break with long lines - it is likely it will be worse this year. I also heard that some areas like the EMTs are understaffed - so some of the impacts might not be apparent right away, but will have an impact. We have had one of the driest winters on record and they are expecting a bad fire season - which will be even worse if they are understaffed for firefighters in the national forest. 

It makes me sick what they are doing to the parks.

Tone down the divisiveness is MAGA code for don’t criticize Trump. Remember after the assassination attempt? Democrats actually dialed back the language, but that clearly didn’t help. It just gave MAGA license to amp up the rhetoric and division.

(1) There is a difference between party leadership and a poster on a message board.

(2) If you “they”, “they” will likely “they” in return.

(3) I don’t see even message board posters suggesting “they” should be deported, incarcerated, or disenfranchised; that is literally what Republican leaders are doing.

I haven’t read other posts so don’t know if the Great Smoky Mountains have been mentioned. It is the most visited and any cuts will be dramatically noticed. I live near the Smokies and there is a lot of maintenance required due to the number of visitors annually.

There go our National Forests: Trump Orders Swathes of US Forests to Be Cut Down for Timber

Screw the species IThe forests protect. Screw the US landscape. Screw the environment.

THEY THINK that it will save money on the new tariffs on softwood lumber from Canada that the USA won't have to pay for.

HOWEVER,

The lumber that would come from the National Forests isn't the correct type of lumber that is used for building homes.  

So, the lumber will be cut and then realised that it is the wrong kind and then, too bad, so sad. 

They know exactly what they are doing.... They just do not care about the environment and want all the oil and natural gas they can get.

Google Search: which national parks and mounuments have the most oil and natural gas (Results)
National parks and monuments in areas with active oil and gas fields, like Carlsbad Caverns National Park and those near the Permian Basin, are at risk due to potential impacts from nearby drilling, including air and water quality issues, and threats to unique ecosystems


Here's a more detailed look:

Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico):

Situated near the Permian Basin, one of the most active oil and gas regions, Carlsbad Caverns faces risks from nearby drilling, including potential gas or fluid leaks into cave passages, and impacts on air quality.


Chaco Culture National Historical Park (New Mexico):

Located in an area with extensive oil and gas leasing, Chaco Culture faces threats to its air quality and wildlife due to nearby drilling.


Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado):

Surrounded by areas with proposed oil and gas development, Mesa Verde faces potential impacts on its cultural resources and ecosystems.


Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota):

The Little Missouri National Grassland, which surrounds the park, has a high percentage leased for oil and gas development, potentially impacting the park's air quality and wildlife.


Other parks at risk:

Canyonlands National Park (Utah)

Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)

Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado and Utah)

Big Cypress National Preserve (Florida)

Everglades National Park (Florida)

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (Colorado)

Hovenweep National Monument (Utah)

Fort Laramie National Historic Site (Wyoming)

Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Utah)

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument (Texas)

Aztec Ruins National Monument (New Mexico)

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (Colorado)

Carrizo Plain National Monument (California)

Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument (Montana)