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cover of episode Yosemite and Other CA National Parks Underfunded, Understaffed this Summer

Yosemite and Other CA National Parks Underfunded, Understaffed this Summer

2025/5/29
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A
Ashley Harrell
N
Neal Desai
R
Russell Galipeau
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Russell Galipeau: 作为前国家公园主管，我亲眼目睹了资金和人员削减对公园的影响。现在的削减是不分青红皂白地进行的，没有考虑到公园的重要性。这不仅影响了游客的体验，例如脏乱的洗手间和缺乏导览服务，还导致了自然和文化资源的保护被忽视。我们不得不重新分配考古学家和野生动物生物学家等公园员工来提供游客服务，这使得我们无法充分保护这些珍贵的资源。我鼓励大家继续参观国家公园，因为如果人们不去参观，政府会认为公园不重要。 Ashley Harrell: 自1月份以来，由于特朗普政府的行动，国家公园的员工人数大幅减少。留下的工作人员面临着各种挑战，包括被迫保持公园开放，顶替离职的同事，以及成为多面手。例如，优胜美地的科学家被重新分配去清洁浴室。季节性员工的雇佣速度也没有达到预期，许多人要到六月或七月才能上岗，而现在正值公园游客高峰期。预订规定对优胜美地及其周边地区的当地社区造成了损害，导致企业和客户之间的关系紧张。 Neal Desai: 特朗普政府为了不让公众知道国家公园的真实情况，强制国家公园在没有足够人员和资金的情况下保持开放，导致核心的公园保护职能被放弃。这种做法就像一辆被清洗和打蜡的汽车，表面看起来很好，但打开引擎盖后会发现电池没了，电线断了，零件也生锈了。由于科学家们在忙着做其他事情，像加州秃鹰和岛屿狐狸这样的物种的保护工作受到了影响。中断对科学研究的资助可能会对公园的健康和福祉产生长期的影响。我呼吁大家积极参与，支持国家公园，并感谢那些在压力下坚守岗位的护林员。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter explores the impact of Trump administration's budget cuts on California's National Parks, focusing on Yosemite and Channel Islands. It discusses the effects on visitor experience, staff morale, and resource protection. The challenges faced by rangers and the need for visitor support are highlighted.
  • Budget cuts leading to understaffing and longer lines
  • Scientists reassigned to clean bathrooms
  • Compromised research and environmental protection
  • Low staff morale due to uncertainty

Shownotes Transcript

The Trump administration’s budget and staffing cuts to national parks could mean longer lines, closed visitor centers and fewer search and rescue workers this summer, according to former parks staff and advocates. The cuts are also compromising scientific research and environmental protection, creating what the National Parks Conservation Association calls “a façade of a national park experience.” In California, Yosemite scientists have had to pick up bathroom cleaning shifts; decades-long endangered species studies in the Channel Islands are at risk. Are you planning a visit? We’ll share what you should know before you go.

Guests:

**Russell Galipeau, **executive council member, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks; former superintendent, Channel Islands National Park

**Ashley Harrell, **National Parks Bureau Chief, SFGATE

**Neal Desai, **Pacific Region director, National Parks Conservation Association

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