Supporter Briefing: How Policy Developments Are Impacting Shenandoah National Park
We know many of you have questions, and we are extremely grateful for your devoted support of our Park. Going forward, In effort to keep you better informed, we created this page on our website!
It is dedicated to updating our supporters and community on key issues, including hiring freezes, staffing cuts, and funding holds.
The situation is evolving quickly, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Shenandoah National Park Trust continues to monitor the policy developments in Washington and their potential impacts on Shenandoah National Park.
Here’s what we know about the status of key issues impacting Shenandoah National Park, including hiring freezes, staffing cuts, and funding holds
To start off
We are encouraged by recent developments, including the lifting of the seasonal hiring freeze, and continue to brief legislators on the impact of staffing cuts and funding delays on the park, its visitors, and the local community. Shenandoah National Park welcomed over 1.7 million visitors last year, making a significant contribution to the local economy.
Here’s where things stand (last update: March 13):
Seasonal Employee Hiring Moving Forward
- The freeze on seasonal hiring imposed in January has been lifted on Feb 21, and hiring for the summer season is now underway. Applicants who previously applied will not need to reapply, while new applicants can apply at usajobs.gov.
- Each year, Shenandoah National Park recruits between 130-150 seasonal employees. These roles are essential to summer operations, including trail maintenance, visitor orientation, campground management, safety services, restroom cleaning, and fee collection, which is reinvested into park infrastructure.
- We are grateful for the support of Virginia’s congressional delegation Kaine and Warner, who advocated for the lifting of the seasonal hiring freeze. On Feb 27 the VA delegates along with 21 Senate colleagues send a letter urging Secretary Burgum to “immediately reissue seasonal employment offers for the National Park Service. https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-sound-the-alarm-over-national-parks-staffing-shortages-due-to-trumps-hiring-freeze
- The disruption to the hiring process may impact the total number of seasonal positions Shenandoah is able to fill by the start of season. This in turn may impact the availability of visitor services this spring and summer. We will provide updates as information becomes available.
Loss of Full-Time Probationary Employees
- On February 14, Shenandoah National Park lost fifteen full-time probationary employees due to mandates to terminate those who had not completed their probationary period. These employees were critical to park operations, including maintenance, sanitation, and natural resource management, as well as assisting with fee collection—a revenue source directly supporting park infrastructure and visitor services.
- The terminations were ordered without consideration of the positions’ funding sources. The wages of the fee collectors came from the entrance fees generated by the park.
- Fee collection at Shenandoah typically generates $12M annually, 80% of which is retained by the park. (The remainder helps support other national parks.) This funding is used for trail and facility maintenance and for visitor services. Reductions in fee collection staff may result in less revenue for crucial projects and services in 2026 and beyond.
- Based on a February 27 memo from the Office of Personnel Management, additional reductions in staff may be forthcoming, which could have impacts on the park and visitors.
Federal Funding on Hold
- Shenandoah National Park’s funding from recent federal legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is partially frozen. While staff can still be paid, the park cannot purchase supplies or hire contractors. This funding freeze may impact critical restoration projects, such as the rehabilitation of forest ecosystems, protection of biodiversity across the park’s vast landscapes, and preservation of historic structures.
- Shenandoah National Park Trust continues to monitor the effects of these funding delays and advocates for timely access to these vital resources.
How You Can Help:
- Contact Your Representatives: Let your congressional leaders know how important Shenandoah National Park is to you and the local community.
- Stay Up to Date: We will continue to update this page as the situation evolves. We encourage you to subscribe to our e-newsletter for updates and opportunities to get involved.
- Apply for or Share a Seasonal Park Job: Seasonal hiring is now unfrozen. Explore available positions at usajobs.gov and consider working for Shenandoah National Park this summer.
- Support Local Businesses: The uncertainty surrounding staffing levels and park operations creates additional pressure on local businesses in surrounding gateway communities. Support these businesses to help keep our community vibrant.
- Donate to Shenandoah National Park Trust: Your contributions help fund critical park programs, including trail maintenance, habitat restoration, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts to protect Shenandoah National Park. Consider making a donation today.