Dear Friend,

It’s going to be a tough summer for our national parks.

Across the country—and especially here in the Mid-Atlantic—parks are struggling under the weight of unprecedented staffing cuts. Rangers, scientists, maintenance workers, and cultural resource experts are being pushed out, and thanks to the ongoing hiring freeze, most of their jobs aren’t being filled. Some parks have lost as much as 25% of their staff and still they’re being told to stay open, greet visitors, and keep everything running as usual.

Of course, it’s not business as usual.

When visitor centers close early, trails are left uncleared, or programs disappear—it’s not because park staff don’t care. It’s because there’s simply no one left to do the work. These losses hurt everyone who loves national parks, and they put the future of these places at risk.

But here’s the good news—you can help us. We’ve been busy advocating on Capitol Hill, rallying with supporters in the community, and fighting to restore the resources our parks need. And with supporters like you by our side, we’ve already made some real progress.

Here’s a look at what’s new on Capitol Hill, in the field, and how you can take action.

Up on Capitol Hill, the President’s proposed budget would decimate the National Park System. Sadly, budgets and policies are now being proposed or enacted that would dismantle our national parks and force the Park Service to abandon nearly two-thirds of the sites currently in their system. The president’s budget proposal explicitly calls for the Park Service to give up our smaller national park sites, which includes many of our nation’s historic sites. Learn more about what’s being proposed and take action to hold the line for our history and continue to defend every single national park site that the administration is trying to erase from the map.

However, we’re still celebrating the reintroduction of a bill to extend critical national park maintenance funding. The America the Beautiful Act, introduced by Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Mark Warner (D-VA) extends critical maintenance funding, providing $11.2 billion over the next eight years to tackle pressing infrastructure needs like crumbling roads, deteriorating buildings and outdated water systems.

We’re also still committed to a new national park for the Chesapeake Bay. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) has renewed the push to establish a Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA). Originally introduced with then-Rep. John Sarbanes in 2023, the CNRA Act (S.1408) would unite key Chesapeake Bay properties and park areas under the National Park Service. The goal is to increase federal resources for conservation, elevate the Chesapeake’s cultural and economic heritage, and expand equitable access to the Bay. The Senate passed the bill unanimously in late 2024, but time ran out in the House of Representatives, so it’s been reintroduced in the 119th Congress for another strong push.

Our own Kyle Hart (above) testified before Congress in support of protecting national parks in our region. On May 21, Kyle testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, emphasizing the threats posed by industrial-scale data center development to national parks and public lands. His testimony underscored the importance of protecting these cherished places from harmful development.

In the field, come behind the scenes with us at the Harpers Ferry Center. The National Park Service protects hundreds of millions of historic objects, from Civil War swords to Presidents’ papers and everything in between. Preserving and repairing these objects requires an elite squad of specialists. WATCH a behind the scenes tour of the Harpers Ferry Center in Charles Town, West Virginia and take action to protect this critical facility.

Pride Month is here and so is an opportunity to double your impact. Parks are facing growing threats that undermine inclusive storytelling, including efforts to erase LGBTQ+ and other marginalized histories. NPCA’s Ambassador for Change project at Stonewall National Monument empowers advocates and advances policies that defend these vital narratives. Every dollar you give to this project will be generously matched 100% by the Zegar Family Foundation, up to $135,000. Join us in honoring Stonewall's legacy of hope and resistance and help safeguard our shared history. DONATE TODAY and make twice the impact.

📖 What we’re reading this month:

• "National Parks" magazine highlighted an ambitious initiative to restore native grasslands at dozens of Eastern national park sites.

• Things are not normal: the “Richmond Times-Dispatch" covered the cloud of uncertainty hanging over Shenandoah National Park.

• "What's Up?" media provided a breakdown of new legislation in Maryland, supported by NPCA, that will significantly improve road safety and protect Maryland wildlife.

• “Hollowed Out”: NPCA's blog featured the stories of three retired National Park Superintendents who are now speaking up.
  

Meet us in the national parks this summer. Along with our partners from Girls Who Hike Virginia, we were thrilled to join this year’s “Show Your Love for Shenandoah” Day of Service. More than 100 volunteers in total came to the event, hosted by NPS, Shenandoah National Park Trust, Shenandoah National Park Association, and Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, to tackle maintenance projects.

We also joined Pocono Environmental Education Center’s Earth Day Festival at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. And we led students from Marshall University on a Garlic Mustard Pull Service Project on the Lower Glade Creek Trail at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

You can always learn more about the Mid-Atlantic parks on our webpage, attend an upcoming NPCA event or take action to protect parks.

Thank you for being an advocate for your national parks!

Sincerely,

Jayda Hayman
Delaware River Field Representative