How Trail Funding Works: Addressing Maintenance Backlogs on the 100th Birthday of the National Park Service
August 25 is the 100th birthday of the National Park Service and, though they didn't ask for a present, there is something you can do today to keep parks strong for the next century.
- The Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier National Park. Photo by Eunice Lee.
Today is the 100th birthday of the National Park Service and, though they didn't ask for a present, there is something you can do today to keep parks strong for the next century.
We need you to tell Congress you want to see increased funding to protect these places for the future.
More and more Americans are visiting parks to enjoy the nation's natural treasures, but funding for these places isn't keeping up with demand.
Mount Rainier National Park is facing a $300 million maintenance backlog after years of underfunding. This represents just a portion of the $11.49 billion backlog in parks nationwide, according to a report released by the National Park Service earlier this year. Olympic National Park faces similar challenges with $140 million in deferred maintenance. National Forest and other federal lands are in the same boat.
A solution for parks funding starts with you
Deferred maintenance items include many amenities that are essential to hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts including: trails, campgrounds, roads and bridges.
This goes beyond just a few potholes or an out-of-service bathroom. Without maintenance, trails are becoming lost. Road and bridge maintenance accounts for a significant portion of maintenance needs in Washington and across the country, which can seriously impact recreation access.
Please take two minutes to sign the petition!
In honor of the National Park Service's centennial birthday, please sign the petition to increase funding for public lands.
Want to learn more? Here's a reading list so you can celebrate parks while protecting them:
- Americans think national parks are worth $92 billion, but we don’t fund them accordingly, The Conversation
- Anniversary of parks highlights needs to preserve national treasures, The Columbian
- Budget shortfalls affect National Parks' maintenance, cleaning, NPR
- The Park Service's befuddled funding, High Country News
Comments