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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