National Park Service: Managing Budget Cuts
National parks are critical for preserving biodiversity, protecting cultural and historical heritage, supporting tourism, and providing ecosystem services such as clean air, water regulation, and climate stability. They also serve as spaces for recreation and education, contributing to both national pride and local economies. The National Parks Service has been in charge of these green spaces since its inception in 1916, providing crucial wildlife maintenance and guiding park visitors. However, the U.S. government has recently made massive cuts in funding everywhere, but especially for the National Parks Service in an effort to reduce national spending. These cuts often lead to staff shortages, poor maintenance, reduced monitoring against poaching or illegal logging, and the abandonment of research or restoration projects. The result is an erosion not only of natural landscapes and wildlife, but also of the economic and cultural value that parks provide to surrounding communities.
Declining park quality threatens global biodiversity, weakens climate resilience, and places indigenous lands and endangered wildlife at greater risk. For rural areas in particular, whose economies may rely heavily on eco-tourism, the recent funding rollbacks highlight the tension between fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability. This committee will address the urgent question of how to protect national parks despite shrinking budgets. Delegates are tasked with exploring innovative funding models, balancing political motivations, and finding balanced solutions that secure both environmental protection and economic stability for future generations.