America’s Public Lands Are Under Attack
For over a century, America’s public lands—national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and protected areas—have been our greatest shared treasure. But recent federal decisions are stripping away the protections, staffing, and funding that keep these lands accessible, healthy, and thriving.
This isn’t about politics. Public lands belong to all of us. And if we don’t fight for them now, future generations may lose some of the wildest, most awe-inspiring places in the country.
"There is nothing so American as our national parks… The fundamental idea behind the parks is that the country belongs to the people."
— Franklin D. Roosevelt
The Federal Actions Putting Public Lands At Risk
Public lands don’t stay protected on their own. They require proper funding, staffing, and policies that prioritize conservation and access. Instead, recent federal decisions are slashing jobs, gutting budgets, and pushing industrial development onto some of America’s most treasured landscapes.
Massive Staffing Cuts Will Leave Public Lands Undermanaged
- In February 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) eliminated 1,000 employees (5% of its total workforce).
- The U.S. Forest Service cut 3,400 workers—10% of its staff, severely limiting its ability to maintain trails, prevent wildfires, and protect ecosystems.
- Without rangers, scientists, and conservation teams, parks, forests, and wildlife refuges will become harder to access, less safe, and more vulnerable to damage.
Public Lands Could Be Opened to Drilling & Mining
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed Secretarial Order 3418, prioritizing energy exploration, drilling, and mining on federal lands.
- Areas once protected for their ecological and recreational value may be reclassified for industrial development, threatening habitats, watersheds, and air quality.
- Decades of conservation efforts could be undone, turning public lands into private industry profit zones.
What This Means for the Future of Public Lands
If these trends continue, millions of acres of national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges will face irreversible damage. Without enough staff and funding to protect them, trails will close, ecosystems will be left vulnerable, and safety risks will increase.
At the same time, policy shifts toward resource extraction could permanently alter the landscapes we love—putting short-term industry profits ahead of long-term conservation.
Public lands belong to everyone. But if we don’t take action now, we risk losing access to the best outdoor places in America.
The Impacts: What’s at Stake If These Cuts Continue
Visitor Experience & Safety
Fewer rangers and staff will make public lands harder to access, more dangerous, and less enjoyable. Here’s what’s coming:
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Search & Rescue Will Be Slower & More Risky
- With fewer trained emergency responders, rescue operations will take longer, increasing risk for injured hikers, climbers, and backcountry travelers.
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Trail Closures & Poor Maintenance
- Trail crews are being cut, which means washed-out paths, fallen trees, and dangerous conditions won’t be repaired.
- Popular backcountry routes, including sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, are already closing due to lack of upkeep.
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Overcrowding & Poor Conditions
- Fewer rangers = longer wait times, trash piling up, and restrooms going uncleaned.
- With less enforcement of Leave No Trace policies, expect more litter, trail erosion, and damaged campsites.
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Wildfire Prevention Will Be Delayed
- Fire seasons are getting longer and more intense, but fewer fire crews mean less controlled burning and slower wildfire response times.
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Fewer Visitor Centers, Ranger Talks & Educational Programs
- Ranger-led hikes, junior ranger programs, and guided tours are already being eliminated due to funding cuts.
- Some visitor centers will shut down completely, leaving fewer resources for first-time visitors and families.
The Environmental Toll: Conservation, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Disruptions
Public lands aren’t just for us—they’re home to thousands of plant and animal species. But without funding and staff to protect them, entire ecosystems could collapse.
Here’s what will happen if we keep gutting conservation resources:
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Invasive Species Will Spread Unchecked
- Without enough scientists, biologists, and conservation teams, invasive species like cheatgrass, zebra mussels, and Burmese pythons will overrun ecosystems.
- Fragile plant life and native species will be wiped out, permanently altering habitats.
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Endangered Species Will Lose Protection
- The Mexican gray wolf, California condor, and Florida panther rely on park biologists, rangers, and wildlife specialists to survive.
- With fewer staff monitoring them, poaching, habitat destruction, and food scarcity will increase.
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Habitat Restoration Will Stall
- Wetland restoration, wildfire recovery, and reforestation projects will grind to a halt without funding and staff.
- This will lead to soil erosion, reduced water quality, and environmental damage that could take decades to reverse.
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Wildfire Prevention Efforts Will Collapse
- Fewer forest management teams = more out-of-control wildfires.
- Without controlled burns and firebreak construction, fire risks will skyrocket in states like California, Colorado, and Montana.
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Waterways & Wetlands Will Face Neglect
- Rivers, lakes, and wetlands depend on active management to prevent pollution and habitat destruction.
- If cuts continue, water contamination and drought mismanagement will increase, threatening fish populations and drinking water supplies.
The bottom line? Public lands won’t stay wild and healthy on their own. If we let these cuts continue, some of these ecosystems may never recover.
How You Can Take Action
These places belong to all of us—but protecting them takes effort. Here’s how you can help:
Support Advocacy Organizations
- National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) – The leading organization fighting for national park funding and policy protections.
- The Wilderness Society – Working to stop drilling, logging, and mining on public lands.
- National Park Foundation (NPF) – The official charitable partner of the National Park Service.
- National Forest Foundation (NFF) – Focused on conservation, restoration, and reforestation of U.S. National Forests.
- Local “Friends of” Organizations – Many parks have their own nonprofit foundations, like Zion Forever and Yosemite Conservancy.
Contact Your Representatives
- Make Your Voice Heard – Call, email, or write to your representatives demanding funding for public lands.
- Use Advocacy Tools – 5 Calls provides scripts and call prompts to make it easy.
- Pre-Drafted Emails – NPCA and The Wilderness Society offer pre-written letters you can send with one click.
Volunteer & Stay Informed
- Join a Clean-Up Event – National Public Lands Day is the biggest one-day volunteer effort for public lands.
- Follow Conservation News – Stay up-to-date on policies affecting parks, forests, and wildlife refuges.
- Leave No Trace – Minimize your impact when visiting public lands.
Public Lands Are Part of the American Spirit—Let’s Keep Them That Way
At Wild Critterz, we believe in protecting the places we love. That’s why a portion of every sale supports organizations protecting our environment and public lands.
Public lands should be wild—but they shouldn’t be neglected. If we act now, we can keep them open, protected, and thriving for future generations.
