The North Carolina state parks system manages over 260,000 acres of land, with rising visitation rates reaching tens of millions of individual visitors a year. As those cherished lands are put at risk due to policy changes that prioritize resource extraction and development over conservation, it’s crucial for North Carolinians to advocate for their protection.
Environmental justice is deeply rooted in North Carolina, going back almost 43 years to the Warren County landfill protests, where a small community fought back against the placement of toxic waste. Their courage and determination led to greater awareness and policy changes that address environmental racism and toxic waste disposal. While fighting federal decisions and executive orders may seem daunting, local efforts offer powerful avenues for change. With our expansive national and state parks, North Carolinians are primed to lead by example.
With recent policy shifts favoring industry over preservation, environmental regulations are weakened and the door opens for increased pollution, habitat destruction and climate-related damage. National and state parks are spaces designated to protect and preserve plants, animals and cultural resources like archaeological sites and historic structures. Without sufficient staffing, national parks are at risk of being mistreated and defaced as they were during President Donald Trump’s first term. Our coast and mountains are vulnerable to all of the above.
The Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway attract almost 30 million visits to the area, generating over $3 billion for local economies. Both are still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in September. Meanwhile, on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, rising sea levels combined with stronger hurricanes put the coast and its wildlife at significant risk.
During his first administration, Trump targeted the Endangered Species Act by reducing the size of protected habitats and allowing for economic considerations, including estimations on how much revenue would be lost if exploitative activities such as drilling or logging were to be prohibited. Concerns are rising that the new administration could continue to weaken the National Environmental Policy Act, which mandates that agencies consider the environmental impacts of their actions.
National parks rely on seasonal staff to keep parks running during their busiest season and yet, park staff across the country are uncertain about the security of their jobs after Trump issued a hiring freeze on national parks and fired almost 1,000 probationary workers. Thousands of job offers were rescinded in the Park Service and buyouts were offered. Without seasonal staff, permanent workers will be overburdened; concerns for cleanliness and safety have already entered the conversation.
Staffing shortages exacerbated by the federal hiring freeze puts North Carolina’s parks under more duress, leaving them vulnerable to mismanagement, neglect and environmental degradation. Still in the aftermath of Helene, our national parks and trails in western N.C. will be further strained. With less staff and funding available to aid in repairs and clean up debris including downed trees, recovery time will significantly increase and large swaths of land may be closed off.
National and state parks are more than scenic landscapes. They are testaments to our cultural heritage and natural history, offering spaces for reflection, adventure and connection to a world beyond ourselves.
And they need more from us than just awareness. They need action. Supporting conservation organizations and staying informed about the changing policies that impact public lands create better advocates for strong environmental protections. We can contact our representatives and push for accountability, making it harder for lawmakers to ignore our call for responsible stewardship of these beautiful lands. Increased state funding for park maintenance, conservation initiatives and educational programs can help fill the gap left by federal rollbacks.
