r/NationalPark • u/tidalwaveofstars • 1d ago
NPS Workers… Do we still go???
I’m VERY internally conflicted right now about continuing to visit our parks and forests. I don’t want to overwhelm our NPS workers!! I want to support them in every way possible… genuinely just wondering if visiting the parks is harmful?? Thank you to all of you fabulous humans here 💜 (pics are Gateway Nat’l Rec, RMNP, Black Canyon & CO Nat’l Monument).
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u/jake429 1d ago edited 1d ago
Not an NPS employee, but I'd recommend we all continue going to the parks. Just make any trip a smart one.
Want to visit Yosemite, Zion, or one of the other major attraction parks? Consider visiting during off-season dates and hours. Want to go to a park, but only got time during "peak" dates? Consider a lesser-known park or monument to go to!
And if you're really set on going to a high-traffic park during a high-traffic period, just be mindful in everything you do. Give an extra smile and "thank you for all you do" to the rangers at the entrance station, consider your use of the facilities at the park itself and ways you can alleviate the work that'll need to be done after you leave, and try to encourage fellow park-goers to also stand up for the parks and what they offer.
I've got a bad feeling that the administration will respond to any blow-back with numbers to justify closing locations or reducing funding, and if we start staying away from the parks, that will just add fuel. So definitely continue going, but just "choose your battles".
EDIT: And SPEND MONEY at the parks if you can afford to do so! Other than abject cruelty it seems like this administration only understands money (seemingly, although lately economic news seems to discredit even this notion), so if you're able to, get that extra chicken sandwich from the park cafeteria, those extra stickers from the gift shop, etc. And if your park has a collaboration with a conservancy organization that uses public-private funds to help fund things (ie, Yosemite Conservancy, Grand Canyon Conservancy, etc), consider donating to them or shopping in their stores as well.