On February 14th, 2025 Donald Trump’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) sent a letter to 1000 probationary National Parks staff – firing them – only to reinstate them weeks later. Pretty INefficient…
But that wasn’t just a distraction. It wasn’t just a fumble. It was the opening salvo for a plan, laid out in Project 2025, to dismantle protections for National Parks.
It’s all got Akilah Hughes wondering – if she wants to cross going to Yosemite off her bucket list…is it now or never?
Guests:
Kristen Brengel, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, National Parks Conservation Association
Steven Beissinger, Professor of Conservation Biology and A. Starker Leopold Professor of Wildlife Ecology, UC Berkeley
Adam Auerbach, conservation non-profit leader, former RMNP Ranger
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - INTRO
01:47 - PROJECT 2025/TRUMP ADMIN PLAN
02:12 - BACKGROUND ON THE US NATIONAL PARKS
03:32 - PROJECT 2025/TRUMP ADMIN PLAN
04:22 - PARK RANGERS
09:03 - PRIVATIZATION AGENDA
10:33 - WILL I GET TO SEE YOSEMITE?
11:00 - CLIMATE CHANGE
15:43 - UNDERSTANDING THE NETWORK OF AGENCIES (NOT JUST PARKS)
18:39 - FINAL THOUGHTS
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