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Preservation groups tell House that removed park signage and staff cuts risk whitewashing history
Summary
Nonprofit witnesses and lawmakers warned that recent removals of interpretive panels and large staffing declines at the National Park Service threaten inclusive storytelling at national parks and jeopardize community trust ahead of the 250th anniversary.
Nonprofit witnesses and members of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee warned that recent removals of interpretive panels at multiple National Park Service sites and deep staffing declines threaten the agency’s ability to present accurate and inclusive historical narratives.
Alan Spears, senior director for cultural resources at the National Parks Conservation Association, told the panel the park service has lost roughly 25% of its permanent workforce in 2025 — about 4,000 positions — and that removals of panels and signage at sites such as the President’s House in Philadelphia and at Grand Canyon National Park have followed an administration directive urging changes…
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