Don’t Let Our Parks Become History: How to Fight for the Places You Love

If you’ve ever watched a sunrise from a park overlook, dipped your toes in a wild river, or heard the hush of a forest settle in at dusk, you know these places aren’t just “nice to have.” They’re need to have. And right now, they’re in trouble.

We could lose more than 350 national parks — yes, hundreds — if proposed budget cuts go through. The funding that keeps trails maintained, rangers employed, and history preserved is on the chopping block. Which means gates locked, programs canceled, and heritage sites left to crumble.

The short version? This isn’t the time to just “hope for the best.” It’s the time to call, write, and make some noise.

Why This Matters (Even if You Haven’t Been to Every Park… Yet)

Every park has a story — and those stories belong to all of us. They’re the battlegrounds and birthplaces, the homelands and havens, the landscapes that shaped our history and still shape our sense of place.

But here’s the thing: without adequate funding and staffing, these places can’t stay open or protected. Imagine Yellowstone without rangers to keep visitors safe from wildlife encounters (and vice versa). Picture the Statue of Liberty’s torch going dark because there’s no one to keep the lights on. Not dramatic — just the reality of severe budget cuts.

The Call to Action: Literally

Your voice matters more than you think. When Congress hears from actual constituents (not just lobbyists), it makes a difference.

Here’s how to turn your love of parks into real action:

1. Call Your Representatives

Use the “Find Your Representative” tool at www.house.gov and the Senate contact list at www.senate.gov. Pick up the phone and say:

“I’m calling to urge you to oppose any budget cuts to the National Park System. Every park matters, and we need to protect them for future generations.”

2. Show Up at Local Events

Join advocacy gatherings, park cleanups, or rallies near you. Search “Park Protectors events” or visit www.npca.org for opportunities.

3. Spread the Word

Post about why you care. Tag friends who love the outdoors. Share photos of your favorite park visits with a note about what’s at stake.

Park Protector Toolkit

The folks at the National Parks Conservation Association have resources to make this easy — talking points, fact sheets, and even sample social posts you can copy and paste. Grab them here and keep them handy.

Field tip: Advocacy doesn’t have to be loud or political in the traditional sense. It can be as simple as telling your neighbor, “Hey, did you hear they might close our park?” and then pointing them toward ways to help.

Let’s Protect These Places Together

Our parks are more than pretty postcards — they’re living classrooms, sacred spaces, and wild sanctuaries. If we don’t speak up now, we risk losing them in ways that can’t be undone.

So let’s rally. Let’s flood the phone lines. Let’s make sure every representative knows:

Every park matters. Every story counts. And every site deserves protection.