Under the Trump administration, the National Park Service faces significant workforce reductions, with over 700 employees accepting buyouts, totaling at least 1,700 lost employees this month alone. This represents about 9% of the workforce. Additional restrictions, such as travel bans and deactivated credit cards for purchase of necessary supplies, have been imposed, raising concerns about the agency's ability to effectively manage the parks. Critics fear these cuts will undermine the integrity and preservation efforts of national parks, illustrated by comments from Park Service officials and advocacy organizations.
If the cuts aren't restored, "this just isn't going to be the same Park Service," said Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of government affairs for the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Assn. "All of these places are so beautiful and have been so well-protected for so long; continuing to chip away at the staff is illogical."
A memo sent last week to Park Service supervisors from Rita J. Moss, the agency's associate director for workforce and inclusion, said, "We have over 700 across the service" who are "participating in the Deferred Resignation Program." That’s the name given by Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency for the buyout program.
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