Dear Friend of the National Parks,

Fall is usually one of the best times to visit our national parks. The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and our region's national parks are at their most beautiful. But this year is different. Since October 1, the federal government shutdown has left thousands of park staff furloughed, and our parks understaffed and vulnerable. Many historic sites are closed, but places like Shenandoah, Independence, Harpers Ferry, and the C&O Canal are open—and without enough staff to protect visitors and resources.

These challenges are real, but so are the victories we’ve achieved together. With your continued support, we can keep that progress going and make sure our parks are protected for everyone who loves them.

Victory: Major wins against data center threats to national parks.
NPCA and our partners recently celebrated two big victories against massive data center proposals threatening Virginia’s national park sites. In August, a state judge overturned Prince William County’s approval of Prince William Digital Gateway, which would have loomed over Manassas National Battlefield Park.

Then, in September, another judge ruled in favor of the American Battlefield Trust and partners, allowing a lawsuit challenging the Wilderness Crossing development—at the doorstep of Wilderness Battlefield, part of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park—to move forward.

We joined this lawsuit and will continue working to protect this park, as well as pressing for stronger local and state reforms so that all national parks in the region are not impacted by the data center industry’s unchecked growth.

Staffing cuts threaten our parks
Recent court filings revealed that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum plans to eliminate hundreds of positions at the National Park Service, including at least dozens of positions in our region that support park protection, cultural heritage, and park maintenance. These reductions would come while parks are already grappling with historic staffing losses and a hiring freeze, raising serious concerns about their capacity to keep parks safe and accessible. It’s time to speak up. Urge Congress and the administration to halt further cuts, restore staffing levels, and ensure the Park Service has the people it needs to protect our national parks.

Our history is at risk
New directives from the Trump administration orders the National Park Service to remove exhibits and webpages across our parks that address the history of slavery and climate science—a troubling push to erase hard truths and silence science.

One of the most troubling examples is the potential altering of President’s House Site at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, where visitors learn about the nine enslaved men and women held by George Washington. This site is one of the few public spaces in the nation that directly confronts the contradiction between liberty and slavery at America’s founding.

Losing or altering this interpretation would not only dishonor those stories but would also strip future generations of the chance to learn the full truth of our history. Learn more and take action to defend honest history in our national parks.

📖 What we’re reading this month:

• Chesapeake Bay Magazine covered a special screening of Ken Burns’s new film The American Revolution at Yorktown Battlefield, ahead of its worldwide premier on November 16.

• HuffPost examined why national parks should be closed during a government shutdown—not left under-staffed and vulnerable.

• “Founding Father” in National Parks magazine highlights the life and legacy of Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History, as the Park Service prepares to reopen his Washington, D.C. home

Welcoming the 2025–2026 Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council
We’re thrilled to introduce our newest cohort of the Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council. This inspiring group of young advocates from across the region will play a key role in supporting our campaigns, representing NPCA in the community, and helping ensure the next generation is at the heart of protecting our national parks.

Bridge Day at New River Gorge
In October, NPCA joined thousands of visitors at Bridge Day, West Virginia’s biggest festival, at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. As people gathered to celebrate on the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, NPCA staff were able to talk with community members about the recent impacts to parks due to the government shutdown and why strong support for the Park Service matters more now than ever.

Thank you for joining us to Protect Every Park
We're grateful to everyone who joined us—whether in person or online—to support NPCA’s Protect Every Park campaign. From Valley Forge to Delaware Water Gap and New River Gorge, community members came together to advocate for parks, celebrate their history and beauty, and volunteer their time.

Nationwide, NPCA hosted 30+ events in 25 states, mobilizing nearly 10,000 people to take action—whether by showing up at park events, writing postcards, or speaking out online. Here in the Mid-Atlantic, your voices and actions made a real difference. Visit our website to learn more about the Protect Every Park campaign and utilize our advocate toolkit to join.

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 national parks!

Sincerely,

Jayda Hayman
Delaware River Field Representative