Bringing A-wear-ness: Protecting Our National Parks Amid Funding Cuts
Our national parks are under attack. Not by wildfires or climate change (though those are ever-present threats), but by the very government entrusted to protect them. The latest round of budget cuts under the Trump-backed Project 2025 initiative is a direct assault on the future of public lands, slashing essential funding and gutting the resources needed to preserve these irreplaceable landscapes.
What’s Happening?
Project 2025, spearheaded by conservative think tanks and aligned with Trump’s policy agenda, is a sweeping blueprint to restructure the federal government. Buried within its framework is a radical plan to strip funding from the National Park Service (NPS) and other environmental agencies. The Department of the Interior, which oversees the NPS, is facing unprecedented cuts, aiming to “rein in excessive spending” and “reduce the footprint of the federal government.” What this really means is fewer park rangers, less trail maintenance, more neglected lands, and an overall degradation of the places millions of people rely on for adventure, solitude, and connection to nature.
Why These Cuts Matter
National parks aren’t just pretty landscapes—they are living, breathing ecosystems that require constant stewardship. With funding slashed, here’s what we’re looking at:
Fewer Rangers & Staff: Rangers serve as protectors, educators, and first responders in the parks. With budget cuts, fewer staff will be available to manage the influx of visitors, protect wildlife, and maintain essential services.
Neglected Trails & Facilities: The backlog of maintenance issues—already a multi-billion dollar problem—will only worsen. Trails will erode, visitor centers will close, and restrooms will go uncleaned.
Increased Risk of Wildfires: Fire prevention efforts, including controlled burns and firebreak maintenance, rely on federal funding. Cutting these programs means a greater risk of catastrophic wildfires.
Privatization of Public Lands: A long-term goal of Project 2025 is to deregulate and transfer federal lands to state control, making them more vulnerable to exploitation by logging, mining, and oil drilling industries.
Who’s Behind This?
The Heritage Foundation, a powerful conservative think tank, drafted Project 2025 with the intention of dismantling environmental protections in favor of corporate interests. Trump’s allies in Congress and within the Department of the Interior have aligned with these goals, pushing for rollbacks of conservation efforts in favor of short-term economic gain. This isn’t about fiscal responsibility—it’s about removing environmental oversight and handing public lands over to industries that see them as nothing more than untapped resources.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
If these funding cuts go unchecked, we risk losing what makes our national parks so special. These lands don’t heal themselves overnight. Once a historic building crumbles or a fragile ecosystem is thrown out of balance, it can take years—if not decades—to restore.
Beyond the environmental impact, these cuts threaten the accessibility of the parks for everyone. National parks belong to all of us, and they should remain places where anyone, regardless of background or income, can experience the beauty of untouched wilderness. But as maintenance backlogs grow and staffing dwindles, park entry fees could rise to compensate, making these spaces less accessible to those needing them most.
How You Can Help
We believe that no one person can save our parks alone, but together, we can make a difference. That’s why we’ve launched the Save Our National Parks collection—featuring tees, hats, and more—with a portion of proceeds going directly to the National Park Foundation. This foundation is working harder than ever to support struggling parks, fund essential conservation efforts, and ensure these landscapes remain protected for generations to come.
When you wear one of these pieces, you’re not just making a statement—you’re taking action. You’re helping fund trail restoration, wildlife protection, and the preservation of these lands we all love. You’re reminding others that these parks need us now more than ever.
Other Ways to Make a Difference:
Donate directly to the National Park Foundation if you’re able.
Contact your representatives and let them know that funding our national parks should be a priority.
Visit responsibly—pack out your trash, stick to trails, and respect wildlife.
Spread the word—share this issue with your friends and family.
This fight isn’t just about the present—it’s about protecting the future of the places that have inspired adventure, awe, and conservation for over a century. Let’s stand together to ensure that there is always a place for future generations to roam, explore, and discover the wild beauty of America’s national parks.
Check out our Save Our National Parks collection, and let’s keep these spaces protected—one step, one voice, and one purchase at a time.
