A nationwide protest against National Park Service (NPS) job cuts reached Gettysburg National Military Park today, where retired NPS employee Brenda Barrett led 23 demonstrators in condemning recent layoffs that have impacted parks across the country.
The Gettysburg protest was part of a larger movement organized by the Resistance Rangers, a group of roughly 700 off-duty and recently dismissed rangers, who sought to coordinate demonstrations at all 433 national park sites. By Saturday afternoon, protests had been confirmed at at least 145 locations, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Acadia, and Joshua Tree National Parks.
According to news reports based on reports from fired employees, five local positions have been eliminated, including one at the Eisenhower National Historic Site and four from the Gettysburg National Military Park. The news reports said those let go included three employees responsible for maintaining the newly restored Michael Bushman and John Slyder houses, battlefield structures that had been part of the park’s “historical leasing” program.
Gettysburg Connection has been unable to confirm the extent of the layoffs in Gettysburg because National Park Service administrators have not responded to several requests for information.
Nationwide, at least 1,000 NPS employees have been laid off, a move the Trump administration has framed as part of a government efficiency initiative. However, critics argue the cuts will severely impact visitor experience, park maintenance, and the protection of historical and natural resources.
“These layoffs will decrease the protection of irreplaceable cultural and natural resources,” Barrett warned. “They will also limit the ability of you and your family to visit and safely enjoy your parks.”
The frustration was echoed in parks across the country, where protesters rallied under banners reading “Public Lands Are Not for Sale” and “Protect Our Parks.” At Yellowstone’s Roosevelt Arch, demonstrators chanted against what they see as an erosion of public land protections, while in Joshua Tree, nearly 400 people protested the loss of six park rangers. In Yosemite, staff displayed upside-down American flags at landmarks like El Capitan in a symbol of distress.
Ed Stierli, Senior Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association, emphasized that park staffing had already been cut drastically over the last decade, with many sites operating at 20% below past levels. He also pointed to a growing backlog of deferred maintenance issues that are worsening as more workers are let go.
In Gettysburg, Barrett urged the public to take action. “Tell the President and his administration, your senators, and members of Congress to protect our parks, not diminish them,” she said.
As protests continue to grow across the country, park advocates remain determined to push back against staffing reductions, warning that they pose a long-term threat to the preservation and accessibility of America’s treasured public lands.
Judy Young is a retired United Methodist pastor. She convenes Gettysburg for
Gun Sense and the Adams County branch of the PA Prison Society, and is a
member of the Green Gettysburg Book Club.
Sadly, leaving these beautiful, sacred grounds without full protection is a grievous error; we americans are not always respectful of historic sites, as evidenced by the areas despoiled with discarded cans, bottles, and fast food wrappers…..cutting people does not necessarily mean cutting taxes? Be careful what you ask for?
The National Parks also provide crucial education to all Americans, young and old. As a proud member of the Friends of Gettysburg, I join in condemning these cutbacks and this ongoing assault on our national treasures.
We want to join the protests at Gettysburg. Where and when should we show up?
Good question Allen. The first amendment area pictured in the article is one area where protests in the park can be held, and it is beside the Meade headquarters building. Some have suggested that the locations of these areas be included on the Gettysburg National Military Park website. If you agree it could help to join in advocating for that. On this occasion the protest time was posted in Gettysburg Rising.
Last fall I emailed The National Park Service and discussed the poison ivy encompassing the former country club walking paths that are currently federally owned by the park system. ( I hope I have those facts right.) They planned to look at the area this spring but there is probably no one to oversee this issue now. What a shame to not be able to utilize this nature site! Reducing the national parks employees begins to eliminate the usage of the parks for US citizens. Our government may need reducing, but observations and plans should be made carefully before ignorantly… Read more »
So glad the current administration is promoting tax cuts/contracts to the wealthy instead of things that benefit all Americans…and hopefully he’ll be able to get his paved over Rose Garden and 100 million dollar ballroom in the White House. That ought to help the budget too. (sigh)
(All sarcasm and disgust in case someone can’t tell.)
Skip the tax cuts and apply any savings to national debt and I’d be listening, but no, it goes to the wealthy. Who can live on a measly billion dollars anyway?
As a retired federal employee with 35 years of service with NASA I can tell you that the accusations of enormous bloat and waste are propaganda. My job was to respond to accusations of waste, and I refuted every one of them, using factual information. Those of you who say say you are willing to volunteer – how many will volunteer for 40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year? How many of you volunteers are experts in wildlife management and horticulture?
As a 36 year federal employee, I can attest that we are bloated. Need to be smart. Emphasize service that are public facing and get rid of the bureaucrats in the backrooms.
Thank you for this informative article highlighting local action and allowing us to see the impact of the layoffs in a broader context.
With the nation $36 trillion in debt, it is not too much to ask. Volunteers could take care of maintenance issues. I would help just to honor those who fought and died at Gettysburg.
There are many opportunities to volunteer at the GNMP. Here are some of them:
Volunteer Opportunity Detail
Volunteer – Gettysburg National Military Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Contact Elaina Pecher (elaina_pecher@nps.gov), Park Ecologist, if you are interested in participating in upcoming training for independent work on invasive species removal in the park.
Why is the NPS trying to enter the lodging business? Seems to me the private industry is keeping up with demand.
Will there be future protests? If so, where can the public learn about them? I’m sure there are others who would be willing to support this effort.
Thanks, good point. This was specifically a protest about reducing staffing in the National Parks, and was shared on the facebook page of Gettysburg Rising. The retired NPS employee shared there that she would be there as one person at the Gettysburg National Military Park, since people were demonstrating against the Draconian staffing cuts at all the National Parks yesterday. She was surprised when 21 other people showed up to support her and her husband. As you say, when something like this is better advertised, more will come.
Proud to see my niece active in this protest.