Forest Service Cuts Nearly ALL Campground & Trail Workers, Hurricane Recovery, New DC Memorials

Join Jason Epperson for crucial updates on the ongoing recovery efforts in National Parks affected by hurricanes. Other stories include the renaming of Clingman's Dome to Kuwohi, new memorials in Washington, D.C., and the 2025 U.S. Forest Service hiring freeze. Stay informed about park closures, maintenance needs, and the latest developments in our national parks!

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00:00 Introduction
00:06 Hurricane Recovery Efforts in National Parks
00:45 Current Park Closures and Reopenings
02:56 Sponsor Message: RV Share
03:51 Name Change of Clingman's Dome to Kuwohi
04:55 Controversial Speed Record on Grand Teton
06:36 US Forest Service Hiring Freeze
08:20 Dangerous Traps in Oregon Forests
09:07 New Memorials in Washington, D.C.
10:55 Conclusion and Call to Action

[RVMiles]

For those of you that take issue with the fallen journalists memorial, say what you want about the state of journalism in the world, but this is for remembering people who were killed in war zones or executed by terrorists. People like James Foley who was beheaded by ISIS. People who risked their lives to cover stories that nobody else would. People with more courage than a lot of us. Their sacrifice should be honored.

[PrestonGladd]

Not sure how we are going to sustain any resemblance of a budget anymore. We waste billions on things we don't need, but refuse to spend a dime on things we do need.

[kristenwolfe]

If Oregon publishes the exact locations of where those boards were and offers a reward for catching the criminal, then I bet someone will tell on them.

[bt]

We cut civics classes from schools and now we have people that believe we have a democracy for a government and fail to understand that we have been passing continuing resolutions and have not passed a budget in 20 years.

[mothermedicinemusic]

Oh so thrilled that this is already taking place. There is so much to do in the North Carolina mountains alone. Anyone traveling there for the remainder of the year should plan to contribute to trail restoration anywhere they can!!!

[brucewallace]

Thanks for the update Jason! Being somewhat in the middle of the Helene mess, you make us realize how widespread the damage was. We appreciate your reporting.

[comingoutspinster-rebellik]

Everyone is so desperate for jobs that actually pay enough to live on. The forest service could be our answer to creating so many jobs and with the hurricanes and fires and floods etc, disasters at multiple parks, we should be seeing another CCC situation! We need massive amounts of people out there cleaning up and restoring these areas. This is THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY for the Forest Service, Federal Funding (our money) and Citizens to all serve OUR NATION and rebuild TOGETHER. Hello 👋

[kathybrokos]

I really appreciate your news. I’m a camping enthusiast and love your reporting on all things relating camping and getting outdoors. 🤗

[sherriweber]

Thank you so much Jason for updating Helene and the campgrounds. Thank you for the the I formation and news as well. After seeing Helene through the video on the damage it doesn’t look good. It’s sad.

[priscillawrites]

Especially having tent camped at all these places, I’m sad to see the devastation caused by hurricanes. Thanks for the interesting history. One of my kids is a former NPS wilderness guide and rescue paramedic.

[brucefranklin]

We still have over 40 Hillsborough County parks closed here in the Tampa area. While there was wide spread flooding in certain areas, the sheer amount of tree debris is staggering. We have several neighbors here with damage to their homes from large oak tree. We just had a family that are full time rvers use our full hookups at our house waiting to move back to the RV park that sustained damage from Milton

[turnbullstravels]

Boy, you packed a lot of news into this one! Thanks as always.

[dmwi]

It’s a shame that our government cannot budget enough funds to maintain and staff what was one of America’s greatest building projects during a depression by thousands of our young people.

America’s national parks should be self sustaining without input from private corporations.

We are fooling ouselves if we don’t recognize which country’s corporations are buying up too many of our food production land already.

[mrmichaeltscott]

Just did 2 weeks in GSMNP. 441 closed one night for ice and snow. The biggest problem was commercial trucks trying to use the parks 441 as a bypass for the i40 closure. Water levels on that side of the mountains were lower than normal.

[jss]

They just opened the BRP around Grandfather Mtn and Linn Cove Viaduct, but the rest is closed in NC. VA is open. Parts have fallen trees, but the road was washed away in some places. Also, all state parks on I77 are also closed.

[airstreamer]

Thank you for this very thorough report on what is not open and what is after the hurricane damage. That was a really bad decision on his part to skip the switch back. WHAT??? Nails in boards meant to puncture tires? What the heck is going on? - Jim & Michelle

[LEDewey_MD]

Stumbled across this video this morning. Found the information presented very interesting and useful. Subscribed!

[MichaelWacht]

As much value as we get from national parks and forrets, budget increases should be uncontroversial

[nunyabidnes]

Friends of the Inyos has been blocking dirt roads & trails in the eastern sierras for years.

[phillippitts]

They can build memorials but can’t hire seasonal workers?