Trump’s administration is ramping up efforts to open national parks and public lands to oil and gas drilling while simultaneously firing probationary park rangers. In recent weeks, the National Park Service (NPS) has dismissed employees still within their probationary period, a decision that some see as part of a broader restructuring designed to weaken internal opposition to extractive policies. These firings are taking place alongside an aggressive push to expand drilling in and around protected lands, leading to widespread concerns about the long-term consequences for conservation efforts and tourism economies.
The administration’s strategy appears to be twofold: removing potential opposition within the NPS while fast-tracking drilling permits and regulatory rollbacks that favor the oil industry. According to reports, the firings disproportionately affected employees who were seen as conservation-focused or who had raised concerns about the environmental impact of drilling projects. This follows a pattern of restructuring within federal land management agencies, where leadership roles have been increasingly filled by individuals with direct ties to the fossil fuel industry.
Kathleen Sgamma, a longtime advocate for oil and gas development, is Trump’s pick for the next director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and NPS. Sgamma, who has spent years lobbying for the expansion of fossil fuel extraction on public lands, now plays a key role in guiding decisions that impact national parks and federal lands. Her influence has helped ensure that drilling leases are expedited, environmental reviews are weakened, and protections for wildlife and ecosystems are rolled back.
The Trump administration has made it easier than ever for oil and gas companies to operate within or near national parks. New drilling sites have been approved in close proximity to some of the country’s most treasured landscapes, including Grand Teton and Canyonlands National Parks. Environmental groups warn that these policies threaten air and water quality, disrupt wildlife habitats, and could lead to long-term degradation of these protected areas. Despite public opposition, the administration continues to push forward, citing economic benefits and energy independence as justifications for increased drilling.
Beyond the environmental risks, Trump’s policies also pose a significant economic threat to communities that depend on national park tourism. Parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Great Smoky Mountains generate billions of dollars annually for local businesses, supporting hotels, restaurants, and outdoor recreation industries. However, industrializing these areas with oil rigs, pipelines, and heavy machinery could deter visitors and lead to economic decline in gateway communities that rely on park tourism. While the administration claims that fossil fuel extraction will create jobs, many argue that the long-term economic benefits of tourism far outweigh the short-term gains of drilling.
The recent firings at the NPS signal a troubling trend: a deliberate effort to remove conservation-minded staff in favor of those who will not challenge Trump’s pro-drilling agenda. This, combined with the rapid expansion of oil and gas operations on public lands, paints a bleak picture for the future of national parks. If these policies continue unchecked, the country could see natural spaces transformed into industrial zones, sacrificing conservation and recreation in favor of fossil fuel profits.
