by Selina Barajas
As a mother of two daughters in Arizona, one of my greatest joys is raising my children surrounded by the incredible beauty of our state’s public lands. Whether we’re hiking through Saguaro National Park or camping under the stars in the Sonoran Desert, our public lands are more than just destinations — they are a part of who we are. They shape our memories, instill values, and connect us to the natural world. I want nothing more than to pass that sense of stewardship and awe down to my daughters, just as I experienced growing up.
But as a parent, I’m deeply concerned about the direction our country has taken under the policies of the Trump administration. Repeated attacks on our national parks and public lands are putting cherished places like the Grand Canyon, Saguaro National Park, and vast swaths of public land at risk.
Parks and monuments are struggling with closures, reduced services, and dangerous conditions for visitors across the board. The loss of staff at iconic places like Saguaro National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and the Grand Canyon has meant fewer rangers and fewer resources to keep our lands safe and accessible. These parks rely on skilled workers to maintain trails, ensure visitor safety, and protect our environment — and when staff are fired, the impact is immediate and far-reaching, not just for those workers, but for everyone who relies on these lands for recreation, education, and connection.
The Trump administration’s cuts to the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and other public land agencies are already being felt across Arizona. Staff cuts by the dozens at Grand Canyon National Park, including entrance gate workers, are causing longer wait times, delayed infrastructure projects, and threaten proper trail maintenance and wildfire prevention.
These cuts endanger Arizona’s $1.2 billion outdoor tourism industry, with conservation groups warning of long-term harm to public lands, wildlife, and local economies. Fewer staff means fewer services, closed areas, and unsafe conditions. As someone who loves hiking with my daughters, it’s disheartening to see how hard it’s becoming to enjoy the places we love. It’s more than just a disappointment; it’s a safety concern and a loss of the opportunities that make these lands so special.
This spring break, families like mine shouldn’t have to face the dire effects of staff reductions on our time exploring Arizona’s great outdoors.
Arizonans, no matter their political affiliation, overwhelmingly support the preservation of our public lands. A recent poll showed that 80% of Arizona voters support the creation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, and 88% support the Antiquities Act, which has been instrumental in protecting national monuments for over a century. These numbers reflect a deep commitment to conservation and the well-being of our environment.
Yet, the Trump administration has been actively working to dismantle these protections, threatening to open up national monuments to oil, gas, and mineral extraction, and prioritizing private interests over public access. Once these lands are developed for profit, public access will be restricted — no longer will our children be able to enjoy the same unspoiled landscapes that we do.
We are grateful to Arizona Senators Gallego, Kelly, and their colleagues for introducing legislation to restore staffing levels at the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
At the same time, it’s deeply disappointing that Representatives Gosar and Crane are backing H.R. 521, a bill that would strip presidents of the power to designate national monuments. This undermines the Antiquities Act — one of our nation’s most important conservation tools — used to first protect the Grand Canyon and countless other irreplaceable landscapes. Locally led coalitions have fought for these protections, and they deserve to be honored, not dismantled.
These lands belong to earth and cannot be exploited nor privatized. It is our duty to ensure they remain protected for the future. Our children deserve to grow up with the same opportunities we had–to connect with nature, learn from it, and enjoy its beauty. Let’s make sure they have that chance.
View this opinion piece on the Arizona Daily Star.
Selina Barajas is a program manager at Mountain Mamas, fourth-generation Tucsonan and a University of Arizona alum.
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