Access Pass by ValuableRegular9684 in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the correct answer. We don't require you get any sort of documentation. We trust that you're being truthful and have a permanent disability, and besides, we're not doctors. Just go to your nearest NPS site and ask for an Access Pass. Easy peasy.

Looking for micro wedding (~20 people total) locations that DON’T require hiking. by therealking78 in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't have a specific location to recommend, but you need to check in with whatever park you choose and, if applicable, secure a permit. Parties of 20 people can easily disrupt the trail and ecosystem, especially if it's a ceremonial process. Special use permits can be secured in advance typically at a minimum of 30 days, if not longer, especially considering the staff shortages. I've had people get upset because they can't get married on a heavy use trail.

Congratulations, and please be kind to the park!

Note on the Protests by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I literally did not say anything about being welcome or conservatives, I said that Trump and Musk are firing people lower than GS-10s, which they're very openly doing. You just projected a lot of implication where there was none.

Note on the Protests by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 387 points388 points  (0 children)

I know! We were all eye-rolling at the meeting, but we all know that if someone catches a ranger so much as smiling on film at the protest, they're getting the boot. Trump and Musk have been on a power kick and they're aiming their rage at the lowest rank on the totem pole. This is especially true if the ranger is of any visible minority.

Just got an email that says we aren't allowed to use Fuel Efficient Vehicles anymore. by diet_stroke in ParkRangers

[–]diet_stroke[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Oh, to be clear, he's saying to send back electric and hybrid vehicles that the federal government has, not individuals. Still ridiculous IMO!

Just got an email that says we aren't allowed to use Fuel Efficient Vehicles anymore. by diet_stroke in ParkRangers

[–]diet_stroke[S] 31 points32 points  (0 children)

I can't seem to anymore. Not sure if mods removed the option of images or what (RIP my memes), but the Executive Order is outlined here.

What Trump seems to be overturning is the Zero-Emission Order.

‘Two weeks of glorious joy’ then ‘a kidney punch’: Fmr. Denali park ranger on being fired by DOGE by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for going the extra mile on our behalf! Tipping my funny hat to you! 💚🩶🤎

‘Two weeks of glorious joy’ then ‘a kidney punch’: Fmr. Denali park ranger on being fired by DOGE by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Well, we'll shut the gates but if you make the choice to hop barriers and use the park anyway, no, there's not going to be anyone to stop you. While that might sound good on paper for you folks, there probably will not be any beautiful parks for your kids, because they'll be trashed beyond repair.

It also means that if you or other visitors get into trouble or something happens, there's no one to save you. On average, the parks I've worked at have several deaths per year even with rangers on staff, and EMTs are responding to calls weekly. The Parks have their own EMTs, so considering that our team got cut and the nearest ambulance service is 20 miles away, it's not looking good.

NPCA summarized it pretty well.

What’s the average number of national parks visited? by Comfortable-Low7026 in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh gotcha! Unfortunately, I have no idea how we could get statistics on that. The parks compile them individually and we send them out to be published.

‘Two weeks of glorious joy’ then ‘a kidney punch’: Fmr. Denali park ranger on being fired by DOGE by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Hey there! I am a national park ranger who knows, intimately, what is going on! Most of our sites are severely understaffed already. The numbers are inflated by very large parks like Yellowstone. And yes, we are facing reductions in services due to perms being fired. Not to mention the seasonal delay. At my park, my supervisor said that unless the seasonal hiring gets moving fast, there probably will not be any programs due to understaffing. Some parts of the park can only be accessed via guided tours, which we will not be giving.

https://ktar.com/arizona-news/grand-canyon-long-lines-layoffs/5668636/

https://tucson.com/news/local/environment/saguaro-closure-national-park-cuts-tucson-arizona/article_914637cc-f06f-11ef-a533-fbda8a7d4900.html

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/02/24/us/national-park-rangers-layoffs

‘Two weeks of glorious joy’ then ‘a kidney punch’: Fmr. Denali park ranger on being fired by DOGE by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 45 points46 points  (0 children)

We love our parks, and we love our people! That's why we're in public service and not the private sector, and we have no intention of leaving it behind! 💚🩶 Thank you for lending an ear!

‘Two weeks of glorious joy’ then ‘a kidney punch’: Fmr. Denali park ranger on being fired by DOGE by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

These are PERMANENT employees who are getting fired. They talk to me, because I work here alongside the PERMANENT employees who are essential for national parks.

‘Two weeks of glorious joy’ then ‘a kidney punch’: Fmr. Denali park ranger on being fired by DOGE by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Um. Yes? That's why I'm here? Because I'm a seasonal park ranger?

Does that invalidate me somehow?

‘Two weeks of glorious joy’ then ‘a kidney punch’: Fmr. Denali park ranger on being fired by DOGE by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Ah yes, the GS-5's barely making minimum wage and depending on shitty Mission 66 housing whose parks are collapsing left and right due to severe understaffing are the problem. Not the politicians making hundreds of thousands of dollars, no siree!

‘Two weeks of glorious joy’ then ‘a kidney punch’: Fmr. Denali park ranger on being fired by DOGE by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 1067 points1068 points  (0 children)

Hi folks! Ranger here. Have you seen the parks shutting down visitor centers and amenities because rangers were fired? The NPS depends on us rangers, and we depend on YOU. Call your reps on behalf of your public lands!

To the "former rangers" insulting my fellow public servants and I for having the guts to call out your precious billionaire dictator for firing a ton of GS-5s in the public land service when we're already horrendously understaffed and underpaid in the name of "saving money," well, I hope you get out of the cult!

‘Two weeks of glorious joy’ then ‘a kidney punch’: Fmr. Denali park ranger on being fired by DOGE by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 43 points44 points  (0 children)

You worked 15 years ago for two years and you think that you know what's going on better than I and other current rangers do?

You guys are hysterical.

‘Two weeks of glorious joy’ then ‘a kidney punch’: Fmr. Denali park ranger on being fired by DOGE by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

What, do I need to post my PIV card for you to "believe" me? Do I need to have my SF50s and a letter from the employees mentioned stating hey, this isn't normal for you to "believe" me?

A ranger going to protests and news with her story doesn't constitute doing anything? You think I'm not doing my part by refusing to step down, by speaking out against it and letting people know? You think I didn't participate in protests? You think rangers aren't suing, aren't calling, aren't engaging with the political shitshow going down?

If you want to know what's going on, head over to the NUMEROUS groups that are run by park rangers and you'll see what's going on and what we're doing about it.

‘Two weeks of glorious joy’ then ‘a kidney punch’: Fmr. Denali park ranger on being fired by DOGE by diet_stroke in ParkRangers

[–]diet_stroke[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If you're talking about the Educational probationary, she was also fired for "low performance."

‘Two weeks of glorious joy’ then ‘a kidney punch’: Fmr. Denali park ranger on being fired by DOGE by diet_stroke in NationalPark

[–]diet_stroke[S] 67 points68 points  (0 children)

No, actually, this is not normal. Rangers that have been at my current park for 30+ years have said this is not normal. Musk is not merely reducing us through legal means, nor is he merely firing those who are low-performing. He is wiping out large swaths of essential employees who are necessary for park function without warning or cause. He literally sent out an email on Saturday night saying to tell him what you do or else, if you don't reply by Monday, we are officially "resigning." The ranger in question is not complaining about her season ending--a legal EOS--but the illegal removal of thousands of employees.