Citizens Rally to Defend National Parks: Grassroots Event Planned at Dickey Ridge

A group of passionate hikers and park lovers are organizing a pair of rallies this May to shine a spotlight on what they say are alarming budget cuts to America’s national parks and forests. The gatherings, set for May 10 and May 17 at Shenandoah National Park’s Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, aim to raise awareness about how slashed funding is already affecting park services — and what deeper cuts could mean in the months and years ahead.

The rallies will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days at Milepost 4.6 of Skyline Drive. Entrance fees will be waived for participants — just let the ranger know you’re attending a First Amendment rally.

Organizers, including Star Tannery resident Michele House, say they’ve watched with growing concern as funding for the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service continues to dwindle. “These cuts don’t just mean fewer park rangers,” House said. “They mean slower emergency responses, the closure of trails and visitor centers, the loss of educational and scientific programs, and even things like dirty restrooms and overflowing trash cans.”

The events are designed to be peaceful and nonpartisan, focused on shared love and stewardship of public lands. “This isn’t about politics,” House added. “This is about preserving the places we all treasure — for wildlife, for our kids, for the next generation of hikers and explorers.”

Over the past month, House and fellow volunteers have distributed handouts and business card-sized rally notices throughout communities in the Shenandoah region, visiting local churches, hiking trails, and volunteer groups. Their message has found a receptive audience, especially as stories of maintenance backlogs, trail closures, and reduced staffing become more frequent.

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), a respected watchdog and advocacy group, has voiced support for the effort and provided informational materials for rally-goers. The organization has long emphasized the importance of citizen involvement in protecting national parks and raising awareness about the consequences of continued budget cuts.

The rallies at Dickey Ridge are open to everyone. Participants are encouraged to bring signs and chant ideas. Volunteers will be available with information on how to contact elected officials and speak up in support of park funding.

“There’s so much more at stake than people realize,” said House. “When you lose funding for basic upkeep, you don’t just lose clean bathrooms. You lose wildlife monitoring, wildfire prevention, trail access, youth education programs, and critical research that helps fight climate change.”

The rallies come at a critical moment, as Congress debates future appropriations for federal land management agencies. According to the NPCA, more than $22 billion in deferred maintenance needs have already piled up across the National Park System. Many fear further cuts will tip already-stressed parks into crisis.

House, who will be wearing a green “National Park Advocate” shirt at the events, encourages people of all political views to show up and show support. “Our message is simple,” she said. “We love our national parks, and we want them protected — not neglected.”