In brief
In response to the ongoing government shutdown, nonprofit organizations are stepping in to fund the operation of national parks across the country. For instance, the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park have committed $2,000 daily to keep the park open, which is especially vulnerable during shutdowns. Other parks, including the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, are receiving similar support as officials navigate reduced staffing and visitor services.
DENVER (AP) — As the government shutdown stretches on, nonprofit groups are stepping in to fund essential operations at national parks that face closures and reduced services.
Among the notable efforts, the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park have committed to paying $2,000 a day to keep this historic Civil War site open during the shutdown, which exposes such parks to significant threats like vandalism.
Executive director Bess Averett emphasized the importance of protecting the park, which is the resting place for over 18,000 veterans. “During shutdowns, the park is truly vulnerable,” she stated.
While parks like Vicksburg may remain accessible through nonprofit funding, many visitors' centers in national parks are closed, leading to confusion about services available to the public. The National Park Service's contingency plans allow for agreements with local or nonprofit organizations to keep essential services running.
Nonprofits are not the only ones working to keep parks open. Officials from West Virginia and other states have worked to create financial agreements to fund visitor services at parks, ensuring that people can still enjoy America's natural treasures.
Additionally, popular sites like the Pearl Harbor National Memorial have been able to reopen, thanks to funding from local nonprofit partners. Such arrangements help maintain accessibility for millions of visitors who rely on these sites for education and recreation.
Organizations across the country echo similar sentiments, warning that past shutdowns have led to damage and neglect in parks. In light of this, maintaining open channels for nonprofit support is crucial to protecting these national treasures.
