National park advocates erect 300 protest billboards nationwide

Earlier this year, in accordance with the Trump administration’s efforts to “cut federal spending,” through the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, major layoffs and budget cuts were instituted across the National Park and National Forest Services.

The initial round of layoffs resulted in the abrupt termination of about 1,000 national park workers — about 5% of the agency’s entire workforce. The administration also rescinded job offers for about 2,000 seasonal hires, just ahead of the busiest times of the year.

A blurred person walks past a billboard in a subway station advertising the need to protect national parks — A billboard mockup for Valley Forge National Historic Park. Photo courtesy of More Perfect Union

More recent plans announced by the Trump administration could cut the NPS budget by $1.2 billion, which advocates say would “decimate” at least 350 of the 433 national park sites nationwide.

Around 325 million people visit National Park sites each year. The NPS usually brings on about 8,000 seasonal employees to support high visitor demands with important duties like collecting entry fees, leading tours, maintaining and repairing trails, cleaning restrooms, and removing trash.

While many jobs have since been reinstated, federal funding and workforce in national parks remain in flux, with a highly uncertain summer ahead.

To protest these funding cuts, pro-labor news outlet and advocacy nonprofit More Perfect Union has launched a multimillion-dollar campaign, erecting 300 billboards in more than 40 cities across the country.

A billboard for Cuyahoga Valley National Park with cheeky text that reads "now with reduced staff." — A billboard for Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. Photo courtesy of More Perfect Union

“National parks are one of our nation’s most treasured assets … They provide a public space where anyone, rich or poor, can share equally,” More Perfect Union shared on its website.

“Yet, Donald Trump has empowered Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to make drastic cuts to the federal workforce across all agencies.”

The billboards show the notoriously gorgeous vistas of various national park sites, designed to resemble a classic postcard. But instead of a “wish you were here” sentiment, the billboards include statements like: “Rocky Mountain National Park: Now with reduced staff,” and “Death Valley National Park: Heat deaths rise, safety staff cut.”

All of the billboards include an emblem that reads: “Made possible by DOGE.”

A billboard mockup for Death Valley National Park, with a blurred figure walking by — A billboard mockup for Death Valley National Park. Photo courtesy of More Perfect Union

Spanning locations from Arizona to North Carolina, the campaign aims to demonstrate the impacts of these funding cuts and remind people of their power to protect national parks.

“The National Park Service consistently ranks as the most popular federal agency by the American public, facilitating outdoor recreation and generating tens of billions of dollars for local and regional economies each year,” More Perfect Union said in a statement, as reported by National Parks Traveler.

“Yet despite their popularity and importance, Musk and DOGE have seen fit to abruptly terminate more than 1,000 workers and rescind job offers for another 2,000 seasonal workers, right as parks gear up for the busy spring and summer seasons,” the group continued.

“These cuts are already leading to reduced services, including campsite, trail, and visitor center closures, less frequent trash pickup, and cuts to maintenance procedures necessary for public safety.”

More Perfect Union also mentioned an influx of protests at all 433 national park sites in the U.S. in recent months. It’s possible that these billboards could inspire a longer-term effort to protect public services like the NPS.

“We want to start a conversation about the role of government today in the United States, and the role of government we want,” Faiz Shakir, executive director of More Perfect Union, concluded.

“Some billionaires and elected officials would rather we privatize or eliminate our public services, but we strongly believe in the need for great public parks that all Americans can enjoy.”