Last summer, my family and I embarked on a trip to Yosemite National Park. I had briefly visited as a child, and it left a lasting impression. However, this time was different; words and photos couldn’t capture the true essence of being there. Surrounded by towering mountains and ancient sequoias, I felt a profound connection to nature, and sharing this moment with my children was incredibly rewarding.
One of the remarkable aspects of our nation is the abundance of natural wonders, from the shores of Maine to the peaks of Oregon, and from California to North Carolina. This is why the song “America the Beautiful” resonates with so many—it reflects the undeniable beauty of our land.
Much of this beauty is preserved by the National Park Service (NPS), which is entrusted by the federal government and its citizens to maintain over 417 areas and 84 million acres of national park land throughout the country. The NPS is not only responsible for preserving these spaces but also for ensuring they are accessible and enjoyable for all Americans. For instance, through its Every Kid in a Park initiative, the NPS offers free access to hundreds of parks for every fourth grader and their family for an entire year. Additionally, the NPS is actively working to protect the land and its cultural resources while addressing climate change challenges. Notably, on January 6, just before the new presidential administration took office, the NPS introduced its Cultural Resources Climate Change Strategy, a significant commitment to addressing climate impacts on cultural sites.
As stewards of our national parks, the NPS values science and factual data, highlighting the public’s role in safeguarding these cherished lands. Unfortunately, the new administration seems to have a different perspective. Shortly after taking office, President Trump signed an executive order to reinstate the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, actions that pose severe risks to ecosystems, indigenous water supplies, and sacred sites. In a troubling move, he also implemented a gag order on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), halting all grants and restricting communication efforts that promote environmental health. This included preventing the NPS from using social media after they shared tweets about attendance at the inauguration.
Fortunately, the Badlands National Park Service took a courageous stand, sharing vital climate data on Twitter before those posts were removed. It’s hard to believe this is our reality, but it reflects the current state of affairs.
While it’s common for new administrations to assert control over federal agencies, the sweeping measures taken by the Trump administration—along with its dismissal of scientific evidence—are unprecedented. These actions have created an urgent need for those who care about the environment to rise up. Thankfully, there are individuals stepping forward to take action. Following the Badlands tweets, Golden Gate National Park Service shared factual information about climate change as well.
Moreover, a political action committee has emerged to support scientists running for office, and an anonymous group of NPS employees created an unofficial Twitter account, @AltNatParkSer, to circulate information, including the now-deleted climate change tweets from Badlands. Even before the administration took power, scientists engaged in a “guerrilla archiving” effort, preserving irreplaceable public data about climate change online.
It’s essential to recognize that while people may differ in views on economics and policies, the facts remain. Climate change is real, affecting everyone regardless of political affiliation. It’s time for us to channel our inner resolve and take action, as the environment doesn’t discriminate between Republican and Democrat.
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In summary, the beauty of America is worth protecting, and it’s up to us to stand for science and facts in the face of adversity. Let’s embrace our roles as defenders of the environment and take action for a sustainable future.