Former National Park Leaders Warn: Keeping Parks Open During Shutdown Risks America’s Treasures and Visitors

As America faces the looming threat of a government shutdown, a coalition of 40 former national park superintendents has issued a stark warning to the Trump administration: keep parks open without adequate staffing, and we risk irreversible damage to our cherished national treasures and public safety. What Happens When Stewardship Is Abandoned? Historically, past shutdowns demonstrated that leaving parks open with skeletal crews invites chaos. Iconic landmarks have suffered vandalism; sensitive wildlife habitats were trampled; visitors faced dangers with no protective oversight. This is no accident—it is the logical outcome when federal priorities sacrifice effective management for budget gimmicks. Today’s...