How much money did people spend at American National Parks last year?

Mar 1

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

In 2023, the 325 million visitors to national parks spent an estimated $26.4 billion dollars. Visitors spent this money in what the National Park Service (NPS) calls a “local gateway region,” or local economies near a national park. According to the data in the visual above how much money did people spend at American National Parks last year?
With the exception of the Pandemic year of 2020, describe the trend in spending in National Parks since 2012.
The National Park Service’s mission is to preserve “unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.” How much is that worth?
In 2023 the budget for the National Park Service (NPS) was $3.475 billion. Considering the cost of running and the revenue generated by the National Parks, explain whether National Parks have a positive impact on the American economy.
The National Park Service (NPS) laid off some 1,000 employees on Feb. 14, just weeks before the start of the busy season in many of the country's 63 national parks. The layoffs, which targeted probationary workers, are part of a broader effort by President Trump and adviser Elon Musk to downsize the federal workforce. How do you feel about these National Park layoffs?
A White House fact sheet on the executive order calling for reducing the workforce said, “The government wastes billions of dollars each year on duplicative programs and frivolous expenditures that fail to align with American values or address the needs of the American people.” Describe a way each of the other branches of government could override or check an executive order.
I have visited 18 National Parks. How many have you been to and how have the national parks impacted your life?
According to the visual below* only 7% of Americans have a negative opinion of the National Park Service. One of those people must be Elon Musk. How would you describe public opinion about America’s National Parks.
The NPS layoffs, which targeted probationary workers, are part of a broader effort by President Trump and adviser Elon Musk to downsize the federal workforce. NPS officials have testified that the agency was already understaffed — the number of full-time employees dropped by about 15% between 2011 and 2022, forcing some visitor facilities to close or limit their hours. How do you think Americans will react to closings and limited hours at National Parks?
Nate Vince, who said he was Yosemite's only locksmith, wrote in a now-viral Instagram post that he was terminated on Valentine's Day — losing his housing along with his job — with what he said are potentially dangerous repercussions. "Yosemite National Park [is] the size of Rhode Island and has more locks than a small city, and without a locksmith I'm deeply concerned for the safety and security of the park and people in it," Vince wrote. "This is not right!" Imagine that you were upset by the National Park Service reductions. Describe any political action (besides posting to Instagram) someone could take to support the Parks.

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Contact your Representative or Senators and let them know what you think about these cuts to the National Park Service.

Get Creative

Write a thank you card to a National Park you have visited or would like to visit. You don’t have to actually send the card - but please write it. The national parks pictured below are left to right: Crater Lake, Rocky Mountain, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Zion.