1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

The actions of the new administration pose a grave threat to the integrity and proper functioning of our nation's cherished national parks. Hiring freezes, workforce reductions, and the destabilization of critical funding sources jeopardize the very purpose of the National Park Service - to preserve and protect these natural and cultural treasures for future generations. Without adequate staffing levels, parks will struggle to provide a safe and enriching experience for visitors. Overflowing trash, poorly maintained facilities, fewer educational programs, and diminished protection of resources are inevitable consequences if these misguided policies persist. Moreover, the loss of expertise through forced resignations and terminations will deal a heavy blow to conservation efforts vital to sustaining these irreplaceable landscapes and historic sites. The administration's actions undermine a legacy of environmental stewardship that has transcended partisan divisions for over a century. Parks belong to all Americans, and we have a collective duty to rally behind their defense. Immediate action is needed to safeguard the National Park Service's ability to uphold its essential mission before irreversible damage is inflicted upon our national inheritance. These shortsighted policies must be swiftly reversed to protect both the parks themselves and the communities that depend on them economically.