National Parks to Fully Re-Open with Budget Deal

Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association

“In just one weekend in January, in what is the off-season for most of our national parks, we saw just how important our national park rangers are. With almost no staff in those parks that were open, we received reports of graffiti, looting and littering. National Park rangers and staff ensure our parks are protected and visitors have great experiences, and this shutdown is proof that the National Park Service plays such an important role protecting our heritage for visitors to enjoy now, and in the future. After this continuing resolution passes, we strongly urge Congress to put forth a long-term budget that helps parks recover from years of underfunding which has resulted in too few staff, constraints in protecting wildlife and serving visitors, and adding to the more than $11 billion maintenance backlog our parks face.”

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About National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its 1.3 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.