Senators Press for Action on National Park Staffing Crisis

The Trump administration's federal hiring freeze has led to significant staffing shortages at national parks, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, with the cancellation of thousands of seasonal job offers. Former Yosemite Superintendent Don Neubacher and others have warned of potentially catastrophic impacts on visitor services. U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono and 21 other senators have urged Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to address these shortages, highlighting risks to park operations and visitor safety. As parks prepare for their busiest season, the lack of staff could lead to the closure of visitor centers, unsanitary facilities, reduced emergency response times, and restricted access to certain areas. Some parks are attempting to fill the gaps with volunteers, but this is not considered a sustainable long-term solution.