Hundreds of former National Park Service (NPS) employees are calling for the nation’s parks to close amid the ongoing government shutdown. In a letter addressed to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the former staffers have expressed their concerns over the safety and preservation of the country’s most treasured natural spaces.

The government shutdown, which began on December 22nd, 2018, has left many national parks understaffed and vulnerable to illegal activities. The lack of funding has forced the NPS to operate with a skeleton crew, leaving many parks open but without proper supervision and maintenance.

The letter, signed by over 450 former NPS employees, highlights the recent incidents at Yosemite National Park and Joshua Tree National Park as examples of the potential dangers that could arise due to the shutdown. In Yosemite, a group of visitors illegally jumped a fence to access a closed area, while at Joshua Tree, a vegetation fire broke out at a campground due to a lack of staff to monitor the area.

These incidents have raised concerns among the former employees about the safety of visitors and the protection of the parks’ natural resources. They believe that keeping the parks open without adequate staffing poses a significant risk to both people and the environment.

The former employees are also worried about the long-term effects of the shutdown on the parks. With no one to monitor and maintain the parks, there is a high risk of damage to the delicate ecosystems and historic sites. This could have a lasting impact on the parks’ biodiversity and cultural heritage.

The letter also highlights the dedication and hard work of NPS employees, who have been working without pay during the shutdown. These employees are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the parks, including law enforcement, maintenance, and visitor services. Without their presence, the parks are vulnerable to illegal activities and lack essential services for visitors.

The former employees are urging the government to take immediate action and close the parks until the shutdown is resolved. They believe that this is the only way to ensure the safety of visitors and the protection of the parks’ resources. They also call for the government to provide back pay to the dedicated NPS employees who have been working tirelessly without compensation.

The shutdown has now entered its fourth week, making it the longest in US history. The impacts are being felt across the country, with national parks being just one of the many areas affected. The former NPS employees are hopeful that their letter will bring attention to the critical situation at the parks and urge the government to take action.

In the past, national parks have been closed during government shutdowns to protect both visitors and the parks’ resources. In 2013, during the previous government shutdown, all national parks were closed, resulting in an estimated loss of $500 million in visitor spending. However, the closure was necessary to ensure the safety and preservation of the parks.

The former NPS employees are not alone in their call for the parks to close. Many current employees, as well as park advocates and environmental groups, have also expressed their concerns and support for the closure. They believe that the parks should not be used as bargaining chips in the political stalemate and that their closure is the responsible and necessary course of action.

The national parks are a symbol of America’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. They are also a vital part of the country’s economy, generating billions of dollars in revenue and supporting local communities. It is crucial that we protect and preserve these national treasures for future generations.

In the face of the ongoing government shutdown, the call to close the national parks is a necessary step to ensure their safety and preservation. The former NPS employees are urging the government to take action and put the parks’ well-being and the safety of visitors first. Let us hope that their voices are heard, and the parks are soon able to reopen with the necessary funding and staffing.