National parks suffer staff shortages under Trump administration cuts

In 2017, significant staffing reductions began at the National Park Service (NPS) following President Donald Trump's administration. As part of a sweeping federal personnel move known as the 'Valentine's Day Massacre,' around 1,000 NPS employees were fired. This led to a sharp decline in full-time staff, reducing the workforce to its lowest level in over two decades. Reports indicated that the NPS aimed to hire thousands of seasonal employees, with 7,700 positions to be filled by summer; however, by early July, only about 3,300 temporary staff had been hired, significantly below the target. The staffing crisis has raised safety concerns, particularly for popular national parks that rely on ranger presence to educate visitors and ensure their safety. Anecdotal accounts from park-goers highlighted a lack of educational programs and ranger presence in parks like Zion and Yosemite. In addition to the staff shortage, some parks like Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland faced lifeguard shortages, with lifeguard towers shuttered and warnings about safety posted. This further endangers visitors, as highlighted by the local mayor's concern for beachgoers. Experts and former NPS officials expressed worries that low staffing would lead to heightened risks for park visitors, especially in areas with dangerous wildlife. With the seasonal staff goal unmet, the reallocation of personnel meant that staff usually assigned to maintenance and educational programs were redirected to visitor services. This situation not only jeopardizes visitor safety but erodes institutional knowledge within the parks, posing long-term challenges for park management and conservation efforts. The situation at NPS reflects broader trends in federal employment under the Trump administration, including a hiring freeze that affected new staff recruitment across various camps. As communities nationwide experience similar lifeguard shortages, the NPS’s struggles are seen as symptomatic of larger chaos and dysfunction within the agency. Local officials and park advocates are calling for greater attention to staffing needs to enhance visitor safety and preserve the quality of park services during peak visiting seasons.