Amidst the Trump Administration and Department of Government Efficiency’s plan to streamline the government by laying off probationary employees at various federal agencies, an estimated 1,000 national park workers are being laid off.

People are upset. On March 2, thousands of people protested the job cuts at Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, waving upside down American flags and signs that read “Protect Our Parks.”

The issue isn’t exclusive to but is all over the nation.

Even before the job cuts, the National Park Service stated that between 2011 and 2022, full-time employment had plummeted 15 percent, forcing some parks to restrict their hours.

While the job cuts are aimed mostly toward “probationary” employees, this doesn’t mean that they are all freshly hired. It’s common for park rangers to move to different parks for different roles, and during that period, they are considered probationary.

With summer and spring break quickly approaching, these are peak national park times. Park advocates are concerned that the additional staff loss will further affect the national park’s ability to serve visitors and protect resources.

Although the Trump administration rescinded the federal hiring freeze for the National Park Service, in some cases, like at Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, all the supervisory positions but one were cut. This leaves one person to hire, train, and supervise all of the new seasonal employees.

National Parks impacted by fewer employees may experience longer lines, dirty bathrooms, and dangerous hiking and camping conditions.

It’s not only park maintenance that is an immediate concern. Guided tours may be cut back or canceled, and visitor centers may have to be closed, depriving visitors of the full national park experience.

The sad truth is that many people don’t understand how this directly affects them.

Those who don’t consider themselves nature lovers can claim it’s not a big deal. But some of the classic spring and summer break destinations like beaches, freshwater springs, and hiking spots are at risk.

However, citizens aren’t powerless here. There are ways to fight against what the National Park Conservation Association calls the “dismantling of the national parks.”

More visibility from national park advocates is necessary. They should speak up relentlessly on the issue and consistently be on every news channel so more people can understand the seriousness of this situation.

While national parks try to navigate these changes, the best thing for tourists to do is to be mindful of the implications that come with parks being understaffed.

Be patient while waiting in long ticket lines, keep the parks clean and be sure to take safety precautions since there are fewer park rangers.

Lastly, consider an alternative for your spring break destination. Explore your city’s metropolitan area or visit your state and local parks!