1. United States
2. Minn.
3. Letter

As someone who loves our national parks and your constituent, I’m urging you to contact Secretary Burgum and ask him to stop any further National Park Service staffing cuts and restore the thousands of positions lost over the last year. Park rangers are the backbone of our national parks by ensuring these places and stories are protected and visitors have safe and unforgettable experiences. I’ve read that the National Park Service has lost nearly 25% of its permanent staff since January 2025. And that’s on top of parks already being severely understaffed due to chronic underfunding. Secretary Burgum has been clear with Congress that additional staffing cuts are still being considered. We saw impacts last summer from the severe reductions in permanent staff and this spring and summer will likely draw even more visitors due to the celebration of America’s 250th birthday. National park staff ensure park visitor centers remain open, trails and campgrounds are maintained and provide educational programs that connect millions of people every year to nature and their history. I urge you to call on Secretary Burgum to stop further staffing cuts and restore the more than 4,000 staff lost last year alone. Your leadership can help ensure these beloved places continue to enrich lives, tell America’s story, and drive economic growth for years to come. Thank you for your dedication to protecting our national treasures.