PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • April 21, 2025
U.S. national parks have long been called “America’s best idea.” President Trump‘s attacks on them threaten our health. The administration has fired about 1,000 National Park Service (NPS) employees. Over 34 NPS leases, including visitor centers and museums, are set to be terminated. Budget cuts and privatization are also on the table. Research shows that nature is one of the best things for your health and well-being. To benefit future generations, the NPS was established in 1916. Since then all presidents except Trump have protected more land than they removed. The Trump administration is also pushing toward privatization. This raises big concerns about the impact on visitors’ health and the accessibility of these public spaces. Privatization could drive up prices and make parks inaccessible for low-income families and older adults. ~ Kristina Carvalho, senior policy analyst, Boston University School of Public Health, and volunteer with Sierra Club Maine