1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The National Park Service's mission to preserve America's natural and cultural treasures for present and future generations is being severely undermined. Recent layoffs of over 1,000 employees and delayed hiring for crucial seasonal positions are already disrupting services and operations at parks across the country, even before the busy season begins. This puts iconic landscapes, educational programs, visitor safety, and local economies at risk. Insufficient staffing prevents routine tasks like trail maintenance, wildlife protection, and facility upkeep from being carried out effectively. It compromises the ability to respond to emergencies and provide adequate oversight, potentially endangering visitors. The impacts also extend to gateway communities that rely on park tourism for economic vitality. The national parks belong to all Americans and are a point of shared pride. They deserve robust funding and staffing to fulfill their mandate of preserving these irreplaceable resources while enabling public access and enrichment. I urge you to take immediate action to reverse these damaging cuts and ensure the National Park Service has the resources needed to serve the parks and the people. Our natural and cultural heritage hangs in the balance.