The Coalition to Protect America's National Parks

We remain concerned and vigilant and would like to see a clear public announcement and a commitment that it won’t change again.

If this holds true, those opposed to a wall would be delighted, although the map still shows a wall in much of Big Bend Ranch State Park, which is just as destructive a proposal as in the National Park.

A few days ago, Customs and Border Protection quietly revised its online map and no longer shows a physical wall planned for Big Bend National Park and Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River immediately downstream.

A dangerous backdoor maneuver could overturn the plan protecting Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

If approved, the management plan cannot be reinstated, opening the door to ORVs & other extractive activities.

Congress must reject this misuse of process.
protectnps.org/2026/03/05/b...

A border wall through Big Bend would devastate wildlife, dark skies, and river access in one of America’s most extraordinary landscapes.

Coalition member & former Big Bend Superintendent Bob Krumenaker explains why the wall is unnecessary.

🔗 Read the op-ed: protectnps.org/2026/03/04/m...

Yosemite, Arches, and Glacier National Parks Have All Changed Their Entry Requirements for 2026 The Department of the Interior announced the updated rules this week.

Canceling reservation systems at Archer, Glacier, Mount Rainier and Yosemite will lead to hours-long lines, parking difficulties and other long-term trouble for parks. This couldn't come at a worse time as parks gear up for their busy summer season. https://bit.ly/4cVEZCA

Steve Pearce has a long record of pushing to sell off public lands, weaken national monuments, and prioritize corporate interests over public access. That record matters.

Heinrich Announces Opposition to Steve Pearce, Trump’s Nominee to Lead the Bureau of Land Management

Thank you to @heinrich.senate.gov for standing up for America’s public lands.

We appreciate Senator Heinrich’s commitment to protecting the lands communities cherish and for voting NO on this nomination. Our public lands deserve leaders who will safeguard them for future generations.

Yosemite’s reservation system existed for a reason.

Former Yosemite Superintendent and Coalition board member Don Neubacher explains why ending the system ignores years of data showing real impacts from crowding and congestion.

Read the full op-ed:
🔗 protectnps.org/2026/02/27/m...

It could be the biggest US data center — next to a Civil War battlefield A Virginia court heard arguments Tuesday over the Digital Gateway project that would border Manassas National Battlefield Park.

One of the nation’s largest data center complex could be built next to Manassas National Battlefield Park.

37 buildings. 14 substations. Hundreds of generators, bordering historic Civil War ground.

“If this can happen here… what’s to stop it anywhere?”

Read more: www.eenews.net/articles/it-...

Timed entry is out at Arches. Locals and conservationists wonder what’s next Conservationists view the Trump administration’s move as another attack on the national parks. But southeast Utah officials say there may be other ways to ease crowding at Arches.

Timed entry has ended at Arches National Park, despite data showing it reduced crowding.

With NPS staffing down ~25%, Linda Mazzu calls it “a recipe for disaster.”

“There’s going to be a lot of people getting turned away… Is that improved access? I don’t think so.”

www.kuer.org/science-envi...

Ahead of tomorrow’s hearing, former National Park leaders are urging the Senate to vote NO on Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management.

Pearce has pushed to roll back monument protections and sell off public lands.

Senators must reject this nomination.

🔗 protectnps.org/2026/02/24/f...

Guest Column: An imminent threat to Virginia’s hallowed ground America’s national parks and public lands represent the very best of this nation. Unrivaled in their natural beauty and significance, these vast and glorious spaces of refuge, recreation, and reflecti...

National parks are a refuge for reflection, not a backdrop for industrial sprawl.

Read the full Op-Ed below. 👇
www.insidenova.com/opinion/gues...

📍 The Scale: 37 buildings equivalent to 144 Walmart Supercenters.
📍 The Stake: 5,000 acres of hallowed ground and vital environmental resources.
📍 The Stand: We are heading to the Virginia Court of Appeals on Feb 24 to fight for a reversal of this reckless rezoning.

"This landscape would never be the same."

The Coalition’s Chair, Cheryl Schreier, is sounding the alarm on the PW Digital Gateway, a data center project that would desecrate Manassas National Battlefield Park.

www.insidenova.com/opinion/gues...

Plans to build border wall in Texas’ Big Bend National Park sparks outrage The Trump administration plans to build a border wall in West Texas. Opposition is stark.

A border wall through Big Bend NP would permanently scar one of America’s most iconic landscapes.

In rugged terrain with extremely low crossings, a wall is unnecessary, & would cause irreversible harm to wildlife, habitat, cultural resources & dark skies.

www.dallasnews.com/news/texas/2...

"National parks are not propaganda tools."

We joined a lawsuit against the DOI. Why? Because a new federal policy is purging factually accurate history and science from our public lands.

History belongs to the people, not the censors.

Full story & legal docs here: protectnps.org/2026/02/17/c...

The Admin is rolling back reservation systems at Arches, Glacier, and Yosemite. 🏔️

With a record 331M+ visitors in 2024, unlimited crowds threaten fragile ecosystems and emergency response.

Read our full statement on why this risks America’s treasures: protectnps.org/2026/02/18/r...

One year after the Valentine’s Day firings, our national parks are still understaffed and under threat. Nearly 25% of the NPS workforce is gone. History is being erased. Science is being sidelined.

Love your parks? Tell Congress to protect them. 💚🌲

Read our full statement on the Park Service Director nomination: protectnps.org/2026/02/12/n...

“It is critical that the next Director understands and believes in the mission of the National Park Service, and places the protection of our National Park System - and support of NPS employees - first. We encourage the Senate to do its job and fully vet this nomination."

One year after the Valentine’s Day firings that gutted NPS, our national parks remain in crisis.

• Nearly 25% workforce loss
• Ongoing staffing threats
• History & science being erased
• Public lands at risk

Read our memo: protectnps.org/2026/02/11/o...

"A nation confident in its values does not hide from its history."

Thank you, Representative Grijalva, for recognizing our 4,800+ members as the "stewards of our shared history." We appreciate your advocacy for the integrity of our national parks and the truth they tell.

Launch of New Public Lands Reading Group | Living Landscape Observer The Living Landscape Observer is pleased to help support the launch of a new Public Lands Reading Group. The purpose of this reading group is to bring together current and former public lands professi...

Living Landscape Observer is hosting a Public Lands Reading Group on the politics of resource extraction—mining, timber, & minerals—and recent executive orders driving expansion.

🗓 Feb 26 | 5 PM ET
🔗 livinglandscapeobserver.net/launch-of-ne...

📸: Photo of the removal of President's House site slavery exhibit

"Erasing history doesn’t make it go away, it just makes it more likely to repeat itself. And harkens back to some very dark and dangerous times in world history." - Emily Thompson, Executive Director of CPANP

📸: Photo of the removal of President's House site
slavery exhibit

We are urging the Interior Department to reject a reckless expansion of offshore drilling that would open 1.27 BILLION acres of public waters to oil & gas development.

Read our letter 👉 protectnps.org/2026/01/26/1...

www.instagram.com/p/DUMZNFWkl1m/

California’s coast is under threat.

A coalition of environmental & community groups is urging BOEM to reject new offshore oil & gas leasing—especially offshore CA.

🚫 Illegal
🚫 Reckless
🚫 Dangerous for marine life & coastal communities

Read the full letter ⬇️
protectnps.org/2026/01/28/p...

National park signs related to Native Americans, climate change to be removed Among the national parks targeted in the new removal orders are some of the country’s most iconic: Grand Canyon, Glacier, Big Bend and Zion.

Trump officials are ordering national parks to remove exhibits on climate change and Native American history, including at Grand Canyon, Glacier, and Big Bend, per @washingtonpost.com.

“This systematic erasure should concern everyone in our country.”

www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...?

Please stay safe, look out for one another, and join us in thanking the NPS employees helping keep our parks safe during this storm.

We’re grateful for their dedication and encourage everyone to:
• Check local weather and park alerts
• Follow closures and safety guidance
• Avoid unnecessary travel in impacted areas