The Price of Profit: How Exploiting Our National Parks and Dismissing Protectors Threatens Our Future
U.S. National Parks are not just picturesque landscapes—they are living treasures that embody the soul of America’s wilderness. These parks, from the towering peaks of the Grand Tetons to the sweeping deserts of Joshua Tree, are irreplaceable ecosystems that have withstood the test of time. They are refuges where endangered species find solace, where families make lasting memories, and where future generations can connect with the earth in its purest form. Yet, with the looming threat of exploitation for profit and the devastating loss of Alternative National Park Service (Alt NPS) workers, these sacred spaces face a perilous future. If we fail to act, we risk watching them unravel before our very eyes.
The exploitation of our national parks for resources like timber, minerals, or water is a reckless act of destruction that cuts at the very core of what makes these places so invaluable. Imagine rivers once teeming with life now choked with pollution, the air filled with the stench of industrial fumes where the scent of pine once filled the lungs. Picture forests that once stood tall, offering shelter to bears, wolves, and countless other creatures, now reduced to barren wastelands, stripped for profit. These parks were set aside not just for us, but for every creature that calls them home. The loss of these natural wonders would echo for generations. If we allow the rapacious greed of extraction industries to poison our parks, we sever our connection to the natural world and cast aside everything they represent.
Firing Alternative National Park Service workers only compounds this heartache, leaving our parks vulnerable and unprotected. These workers are not just employees—they are the guardians of our wilderness. They monitor the health of ecosystems, restore fragile habitats, and protect wildlife from harm. They are the unsung heroes who battle against the slow erosion of our natural spaces, working tirelessly to maintain the delicate balance that sustains life within the parks. Losing them means leaving our national treasures exposed to the forces of destruction. These workers are not expendable; they are the last line of defense standing between us and the irreversible damage to our parks. Without them, the parks would be left defenseless—an open invitation for exploitation.
Beyond the ecological damage, we must also consider the economic devastation this would cause. Our national parks are not just scenic landscapes; they are economic powerhouses that bring in billions of dollars each year. They fuel local economies, create jobs, and support businesses that rely on tourism. Every year, millions of visitors come to our parks, seeking solace, adventure, and beauty. What happens when we destroy these sanctuaries? What happens when the very land that brings people together is scarred and stripped of its life? The consequences go far beyond the loss of a park—they affect communities, livelihoods, and the entire fabric of the economy built around these natural wonders. The cost of exploitation and worker layoffs is incalculable and irreversible.
If we stand by and allow this destruction to unfold, we will lose something far greater than just the physical beauty of these parks—we will lose our legacy. The legacy of preserving the wild places that have been preserved for centuries. These parks are the heart of our national identity. They are what we leave to the generations that come after us, a living testament to our commitment to protecting the earth. If we allow them to be exploited, if we stand by as the very people who protect them are dismissed, we are telling future generations that they are not worth fighting for. We are telling them that the earth is just a commodity, something to be bought and sold, stripped and burned. The loss will be immeasurable. Now is the time to stand up and fight—for the land, for the workers, and for the future of this planet.
© 2025 Duskin Wayne. All rights reserved. "The Price of Profit: How Exploiting Our National Parks and Dismissing Protectors Threatens Our Future” prompted and curated by Duskin Wayne. This article may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the prompter.
Source Citations:
National Park Service. (n.d.). Economic benefits of national parks. U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://www.nps.gov/subjects/socialscience/economicbenefits.htm
National Parks Conservation Association. (n.d.). Threats to national parks. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://www.npca.org/protect-our-parks/threats
