Already shrinking workforce threatens parks’ protection and management.
WASHINGTON – Below is a statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of National Parks Conservation Association, following President Trump’s signing of a memorandum freezing the hiring of new federal workers, including for the National Park Service:
“Protecting our national parks requires the dedicated efforts of tens of thousands of rangers and other Park Service employees every day, but many are edging closer to retirement. Parks already have 10 percent fewer rangers and other staff compared to a few years ago. They cannot continue to be hampered by low staffing, and that’s exactly what will happen with this hiring freeze. Park rangers are already forced to do more with less because they don’t have enough staff to handle record-breaking crowds. If Congress and the administration don’t work together to better staff our parks, this will only make it harder for those remaining park staff to care for and manage America’s favorite places.”
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About National Parks Conservation Association
Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historic, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.
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