The recent wave of Park Rangers layoffs is not just affecting employees—it’s threatening the future of national parks.
Park Rangers Lose Their Jobs, National Park System Faces Severe Impact
Brian Gibbs, a veteran park ranger at Effigy Mounds National Monument, was fired last Friday.
For him, this is not just a personal loss but a significant blow to the community and the national park system.
Gibbs, 41, worked as an environmental educator at Effigy Mounds, a historic site in northeast Iowa with sacred earth mounds.
For him, this was a dream job—an opportunity to protect and educate the public about natural heritage. However, on Valentine’s Day, he received a termination notice.
Gibbs is one of approximately 1,000 employees of the National Park Service (NPS) who were laid off in the recent wave of job cuts.
How Do Staff Cuts Impact National Parks?
The firing of park rangers is part of the federal budget reduction plan implemented by President Trump and his advisor Elon Musk.
The layoffs primarily target employees in their probationary period—a timeframe of one to two years before they receive full-time status.
Gibbs, who had been working for eight months in a one-year probationary period, stated that he was locked out of his work email before he could back up important documents.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that he had consistently received positive performance evaluations from his supervisors.
Risk of Environmental and Heritage Degradation
Effigy Mounds National Monument, established in 1949, protects over 200 sacred prehistoric mounds created by Native Americans.
The reduction in staff has raised Gibbs’ concerns about the park’s deterioration:
“We are losing the people who clean restrooms, maintain trails, and guide visitors.I fear that some smaller parks may have to close their visitor centers or operate with minimal staff, as if under a government shutdown.”
He also warned about potential looting, vandalism, and environmental damage due to insufficient supervision.
Personal Loss and the Uncertain Future of Park Rangers
As an environmental education specialist, Gibbs led guided hikes to educate visitors on climate change and wildlife conservation.
He also visited schools to teach students about the importance of national parks.
Even before the job cuts, the park was already struggling with staffing shortages, forcing Gibbs to take on multiple roles.
For Gibbs, Effigy Mounds holds deep personal significance beyond his job.
“This has always been home for me ever since my dad took me on a road trip to explore this part of Iowa,” he shared. “It’s where I first told my spouse I loved her, and it’s the first park I took my son to.”
The layoffs threaten not just employees like Gibbs but also the preservation and development of these vital sites.
Without timely intervention, the future of these parks may face unprecedented risks.