For over a century, America’s national parks have represented our highest ideals—freedom, democracy, discovery, and stewardship. They are living classrooms, sacred homelands, and wild refuges. From the geysers of Yellowstone to the cliffs of Yosemite, from Civil War battlefields to Selma’s bridge, they preserve not just nature, but narrative—who we were, who we are, and who we hope to become.
Today, that legacy is under attack.
Trump’s 2026 Budget: A Direct Assault on Public Lands
President Donald Trump’s proposed 2026 budget is nothing short of an existential threat to our national parks and public lands. It slashes $163 billion from non-defense discretionary spending—a staggering 22.6% reduction—gutting the agencies tasked with protecting America’s most cherished places. The National Park Service (NPS), already strained by understaffing and crumbling infrastructure, is among the hardest hit.
Within a few months of this budget’s rollout, the NPS laid off approximately 13% of its staff. Seasonal hiring has slowed to a crawl. Visitors this summer can expect shuttered campgrounds, closed visitor centers, reduced ranger presence, and neglected trails. Behind the scenes, wildlife monitoring, cultural preservation, and wildfire preparedness are quietly vanishing—out of sight, but not without consequence.
And it gets worse.
Selling the American Inheritance
Beyond the budget cuts lies a more insidious agenda: the privatization and sale of public lands. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has openly floated the idea that public lands are worth "$100 trillion" and should be monetized. The Trump administration has already begun terminating leases for 34 NPS buildings—including visitor centers and historic landmarks—as part of a broader federal divestment strategy.
Let’s be clear: this is not fiscal responsibility. It is the liquidation of the American legacy.
Our national parks were never intended to turn a profit. They were set aside precisely because they are priceless, irreplaceable treasures that belong to all Americans. But here’s the irony: the economic return on our investment in national parks is staggering. According to the National Park Service, in 2022 alone, park visitors contributed more than $50 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 378,000 jobs. Parks aren’t just sanctuaries of nature and history—they’re economic engines.
To sell or privatize them is to abandon our obligation to future generations. It is to turn sacred lands into playgrounds for the rich and pipelines for the powerful. It is to betray the very idea of a government of the people, by the people, for the people.
What We Stand to Lose
Privatization and budget cuts threaten:
-
Irreplaceable cultural heritage sites that tell the story of American history—warts and all.
-
Critical wildlife habitat, including endangered species like grizzly bears, wolves, and condors.
-
Indigenous ancestral lands, many of which are protected within park boundaries.
-
Scientific research and education—the kind that fuels conservation breakthroughs.
-
Affordable access for all Americans, regardless of income or background.
Once lost, these things do not come back. You cannot reintroduce an extinct species. You cannot rewind an oil spill. You cannot buy back a mountain sold to mining interests.
What We Can Do
We are not powerless—but we must act.
-
Contact your members of Congress and demand full funding for the National Park Service in FY 2026. Remind them these lands belong to the American people, not billionaires or lobbyists.
-
Speak out. Write letters to the editor. Post on social media. Rally your communities. Share stories of what parks mean to you and your family.
-
Support watchdog organizations like the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), who are fighting this agenda in the courts and the halls of Congress.
-
Vote—at every level. From city council to the presidency, elect leaders who believe in conservation, science, and public access.
-
Visit your parks this summer, and when you do, notice what’s missing. Then tell your representatives what you saw.
The Parks Are Calling. Will We Answer?
In 1903, standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, President Theodore Roosevelt warned: “Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it.”
Today, we are marring it—not just through neglect but through deliberate policy choices. But we can change course. We must. National parks are not just scenic places. They are moral places. They remind us that some things are worth more than money, and some legacies are too sacred to sell.
Let’s rise to the challenge.
Let’s protect the parks.
Let’s preserve the promise.
###
Meet Sean Smith, a master of conservation, adventure, and storytelling! This award-winning
conservationist and former National Park Ranger has trekked through the wilderness of Yellowstone, Glacier, and the North Cascades, keeping nature safe with his trusty ranger hat and boots. But Sean's talents don't stop there. He's a TEDx speaker and even a private pilot.
But amidst all these adventures, Sean's heart beats for storytelling. He's been spinning tales since childhood, and now he writes thrilling national park novels that'll have you hooked from the first page. Imagine the drama and mystery of the mountains combined with the adrenaline of a rollercoaster ride. That's what you'll find in Sean's books, set against the majestic backdrop of Yellowstone, Gettysburg, and Mount Rainier. His most recent thriller is in Glacier and will drop later this year.
So, if you're craving an escape into the wild, look no further. Grab a copy of Sean's novels and prepare for an unforgettable adventure. These stories will transport you to the heart of the national parks, where danger lurks and heroes rise. Don't miss out! Find all his captivating novels right here and at the included QR code.
