Protecting National Parks: an ongoing battle for nature

By Foster Conner
Page Editor

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson established the National Park Service (NPS), a vital organization that operates under the Department of the Interior. This landmark move not only created jobs for Americans but also ensured that the nation’s natural wonders were protected, maintained, and preserved for future generations.

Fast forward to today, and the future of our parks is at risk. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has laid off thousands of employees, directly impacting the number of staff available to safeguard national parks.

National and state park employees do more than simply greet visitors or hand out passes. These unsung heroes take on roles that range from janitorial work keeping the parks clean and protecting nature to critical ecological monitoring, ensuring the health of animals and plants. They track diseases, invasive species, and other threats. Every job is essential to the preservation of our parks.

But the problems don’t stop at workforce cuts. National park offices are closing, and areas like the High Plains region, including Lake Meredith, could be hit hard. Without NPS staff to oversee the health of the lake and enforce access guidelines for activities like swimming, private companies could step in, raising costs for park visitors and reducing public access.

The Center for American Progress has raised alarms about another looming threat: public lands could be sold off as part of an executive order aimed at creating a sovereign wealth fund for the United States. If this happens, the impact on national parks could be catastrophic.

The concept of “inholdings” privatized lands within  National Parks is already a reality. There’s currently a dispute over allowing private homes in national parks, and this executive order could open the door for more private entities to buy and restrict access to public lands. If that happens, Americans could lose the ability to freely explore vast swaths of our national treasures.

Here in Texas, Palo Duro State Park could become a prime example of what’s at stake. If the state follows the national trend and begins selling off park lands, beloved trails and scenic spots could be locked behind private property. Imagine the iconic Lighthouse formation in Palo Duro being sold to a wealthy business owner, who then restricts access to the public or charges steep fees for entry. For many, this would make one of the state’s most cherished natural landmarks inaccessible.

The exact scope of these changes remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: We cannot afford to let national parks fall victim to corporate greed. National and state park employees work tirelessly to ensure that Americans have affordable access to the incredible beauty of our parks. Without these dedicated individuals and the protections they provide, we risk losing these treasures forever.

If we let these changes happen unchecked, the future of our national parks and our access to them could be in jeopardy. It’s time to take action to protect the parks that belong to us all.