Nine of 12 Members of the National Park System Advisory Board Resign out of Frustration

Background: In a letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, nearly all members of the National Park System Advisory Board resigned in frustration that Interior Secretary Zinke had refused to meet with them or convene a single meeting in 2017. The board advises the Director of the National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior on matters relating to the National Park Service, the National Park System and programs administered by the National Park Service.

Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association

“The resignation of nine of the 12 members of the National Park System Advisory Board is both unfortunate and understandable. For eight decades, the non-partisan group of issue experts and committed park enthusiasts have studied issues, consulted fellow experts and made recommendations to the Director of the National Park Service and Secretary of the Interior on matters facing our parks, from historic site management to new park creation. And yet, this administration has shown no interest in benefiting from their expertise. In fact, the Interior Secretary hasn’t even met with them, despite repeated requests throughout 2017. Not one single meeting.

“With all of the issues facing our National Park System, from a more than $11 billion maintenance backlog to budget cuts and staffing issues, this is the very time the Advisory Board should be consulted. Instead, they are being ignored while the administration continues to carry out their war on parks.”

###

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 1.3 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.