Among the towering cypress and waters of Congaree, I found both peace and urgency. This place, like so many of our national parks, are a testament of what we’ve fought to protect, but also a reminder of what we stand to lose. I celebrated Valentine’s Day, honored my dad, but I’m worried folks: our public lands across the country are under attack.
Presidential orders are prioritizing drilling and mining over conservation, gutting protections, and destabilizing the very agencies meant to preserve these spaces. Thousands of dedicated public servants have already lost their jobs, and with them, the safeguards that keep our parks protected.
These losses may be invisible (at first) to the casual visitor, but they are devastating losses. It’s more than red vs blue, our national parks belong to all of us—not just corporate interests. Protecting them isn’t political, it’s essential. Please take the time to raise your voices. Our parks depend on it.
Everyone deserves a chance to see the beautiful land in our country.
