Summer Talking Points | NPS FY25 Funding Letter
AGRITOURISM Act Introduced | Good Reads
Next week, Team Alabama will be in DC to meet with their congressional delegation and key federal partners to discuss the priority issues facing tourism communities. The talking points are a good template for summer discussions tourism leaders may be having with elected officials. I am sharing them below, please let me know if you need an assist in personalizing them for your state.
The Second Century NPS Action Coalition is circulating a sign on letter to U.S. Senators asking them to strip from the H.R.1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a provision that would cut $267 million from the National Park Service’s (NPS) FY25 funding. The targeted funds were included in the Inflation Reduction Act to help NPS fill critical roles in the workforce that are essential to preparing parks and protecting their resources. This funding allows every park to fund critical positions, including scientists, archivists, curators, historians and a myriad of other staff, to protect these places.
In 2024, the national parks saw record visitation with over 331 million visits. As Interior Secretary Burgum has ordered that park staff focus on the visitor experience, the $267 million is more important than ever to ensure the staff can provide lasting experiences for visitors.
The Senate is currently debating this legislation, which means this request requires a very short turnaround. The “signatures” are for organizations. Please let me know by COB on Thursday, June 5 if you would like to sign and how you like your organization listed.
The letter is attached below.
On May 15, Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC) introduced the AGRITOURISM Act in the House of Representatives. Thanks to all who endorsed this important legislation. The press release announcing the bill’s introduction can be read here.
Good Reads
Interesting article from USA Today:’Such a critical moment’: Protect US national parks on these activist-led trips. A tour operator, Intrepid Travel is launching activist-led to national parks to educate travelers about park challenges and empower them to advocate for change. The “Active-ism trips are focused on two iconic national parks, the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. Intrepid Travel is also going to donate $50,000 to non-profit organizations working to protecting national parks. I think it’s a great idea but would like to see the focus shift to lesser known parks. It would be great to set up these trips in partnership with the regional National Parks Conservation Association offices or the local Friends groups.
As a lead up to America 250, The Washington Post will be publishing a series of essays and letters on the nation’s founding and how the events of that era remain relevant today. I thought these essays may provide some inspiration as community leaders plan their own events for the nation’s 250th birthday. The first essay is from historian Jospeh Ellis and is titled John and Abigail Adams knew where American history was headed.