Staff Shortages Put National Parks Visitors At Risk

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Last week, reports emerged that the new acting director of the National Park Service, Margaret Everson, told regional directors that staff shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic should not limit public access to national parks. The Trump administration has repeatedly encouraged Americans to travel to national parks during the pandemic. This has resulted in record-setting crowds, packed parking lots, and crowded trails and viewpoints that make physical distancing practically impossible. Meanwhile, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Katmai, Grand Canyon, and Big Bend National Parks have each reported multiple cases of COVID-19 in recent months, and parks staff continue to worry about the threat of exposure.

In response, Sierra Club Outdoors for All campaign director Jackie Ostfeld released the following statement:

"The Trump administration’s approach to our national parks during the COVID-19 pandemic is the worst of all worlds. They encouraged people to come while doing nothing to protect visitors, staff, and gateway communities. 

"Spending time outdoors safely is key to maintaining physical and mental health during this pandemic, but keeping parks fully operational without fully staffing them is risky and irresponsible. Park staff are essential to maintaining basic operations and ensuring the health and safety of visitors, nearby communities, and other staff members.

“Short-staffed parks will be less able to manage the basic functions that keep these treasured spaces running safely, from visitor education and park administration to maintaining health guidelines like clean bathrooms.”