Erasure of History and Science Spreads At National Parks Across the Country

UPDATE 1/29/2026: a previous version of this press release noted the Washington Post’s reporting that a sign regarding Native American history had been removed from the Grand Canyon. The Department of the Interior has issued confusing, contradictory statements on sign removal at national parks, and is now claiming that the Grand Canyon sign was removed due to damage from sun bleaching. Though NPCA remains deeply troubled by changes and potential removal of factual information at from Grand Canyon National Park, references to that park have been removed from this press release.

WASHINGTON – Today, The Washington Post reported that the administration’s efforts erase history and science at national parks has spread across the country.

Per the Post, this month “Trump officials instructed staff to remove or edit signs and other informational materials in at least 17 additional parks in Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Montana and Wyoming… The documents also listed some removals ordered in August and September of last year.”

This follows news in September 2025 of signs removed in Acadia National Park’s iconic Cadillac Mountain and Great Meadow wetland areas. These signs referred to the park’s changing climate, including more frequent storms, intense rain and hotter temperatures.

In response to these reports of widespread erasure of factual information about history and science in America’s national parks, National Parks Conservation Association Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Kristen Brengel issued the following statement:

“The administration is suppressing truth, facts, and science at our national parks and that should alarm every single American. This dangerous campaign to erase history and science is a tremendous insult to the national parks we know and love. The administration is forcing National Park Service staff to censor science and history. This is a violation of the core tenets of the National Park Service’s mission.

“Park Service staff put their jobs at risk if they do not comply with the administration’s directives. Park staffing levels are dangerously low, as is morale at one of the best, most consistently popular government agencies.

“Americans come to our national parks for honest, authentic experiences and we are capable of hearing about our tragedies and victories alike there. Our history is complex, and we deserve to learn about serious topics like slavery, civil rights, and our country’s treatment of Native Americans. We deserve to hear about the science behind climate change, pollution, and other challenges facing our national parks. This systematic erasure is deeply unpopular with Americans across the political spectrum. It is painful, it is wrong, and it will not stand.”

About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.9 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.