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They Generate $55 Billion to the U.S. Economy. Why Is Trump Going to War With Them?
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The National Park Service has lost a quarter of its permanent staff since January, and the White House has proposed slashing a third of NPS’s budget. Ultimately, Congress decided to claw back close to $300 million of already-approved funds for our parks. But the reduction is still notable, says Jon B. Jarvis, who served as the 18th director of NPS.
“The thing to think about the budget and the park service is it’s an operational budget,” explains Jarvis. “The money pays staff to be in parks, to be there for the public, to help them have a good experience, to put out fires, to look out for wildlife, to tell the public how they can safely experience the park, to fix signs and plow roads and clean bathrooms and all of those things they have to do.”
By taking away the money, he says, you take away the operation and the ability to manage these parks for future generations.
On a recent episode of What Next, guest host Rob Gunther spoke to Jarvis about the history of the national parks and how the Trump administration is shaking things up. This transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Rob Gunther: Can you tell me how the National Park Service came about?
Jon B. Jarvis: It is a bit of a miracle. It really goes back to individuals who saw manifest destiny. That was the desire of the country to occupy all lands and develop them. They said: “Wait a minute, there are special places. There are places........
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