Did You Know?
Did you know today ends National Park Week 2026? Each year we celebrate the treasures that are our national parks. Yes, they are OUR national parks; they belong to the people. There are 63 of them scattered around our country, which established the first one, Yellowstone, in 1872. These natural wonders, teaming with wildlife as well as the beauty and variety of nature, are set up for us, our children, our grandchildren, and following generations to enjoy forever. These parks are our birthright.
Donald Trump is threatening this birthright. He has declared that mining has a higher priority than conservation and protecting the environment. Evidently, he values exclusive developments for the wealthy above our rightful heritage as well. He plans to trade a chunk of Yosemite Park to a developer for property somewhere else of supposedly “equal value.” Not only is it questionable that the other land would be of equal value to the people, the trade would allow construction of a private road to cut through remaining Yosemite Park property. This is all so wealthy people who can afford very expensive homes next door to Yosemite will be able to drive to their “cabins” more quickly on their private road. If this trade goes through, it will degrade Yosemite National Park and serve as a precedent for private development in other national parks.
Arizona has three national parks – Grand Canyon National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, and Saguaro National Park. We Arizonans know how magnificent these are, and we don’t want to lose our ability to enjoy them and share them with our family and friends. In addition, they are so popular around the world, they attract visitors and add to our economy.
All of us, no matter our station in life, deserve access to the natural wonders of our national parks, and we must stop all efforts to degrade them and take them away from us. We the People own these national treasures, NOT Donald Trump and his greedy band of robber barons. Let all your government representatives know these parks must be protected now and forever.
Marian Hill