The Green and Gray Retort, Vol. I, Issue 4

⛺ Welcome back for the fourth edition of the Green and Gray Retort, the official newsletter of the Resistance Rangers. Come for the real stories unfolding on our public lands…stay for the adorable animals, a healthy amount of snark, and heartwarming personal stories. In September’s edition, we spotlight a targeted firing in Yosemite, turmoil in our nation’s capital, and a touching story from a supporter. 

🏳️‍⚧️Targeted Firing

Our top story this week is a brutal one. The story begins three months ago, on May 20th. Off-duty Yosemite ranger, Shannon “SJ” Joslin (they/them), joined other off-duty rangers and rock climbers to hoist a large Transgender Pride flag on El Capitan. The group practiced “Leave No Trace,” and the giant flag graced the park’s iconic rock wall for two hours. This epic celebration was one of several displays within Yosemite this year, including the hanging of an upside-down American flag on El Capitan just prior to the park’s famed “Firefall” phenomenon in February. 

It is important to note that Yosemite is currently without a permanent superintendent and deputy superintendent - both retired in February of this year. Currently, the leadership positions are filled by temporary appointees: Acting Supt. Raymond McPadden and Acting Deputy Supt. Danika Globakar. 

On May 21, the day following the Trans Pride flag hanging, McPadden banned the practice of hanging large items such as flags or banners on the park’s natural features. Notably, the rule states an effective date of May 20, while McPadden’s digital signature confirms the rule was signed into park law on May 21st, per the Superintendent’s Compendium which contains the rules governing the park unit. This attempt at backdating a rule change is certainly aimed at SJ’s peaceful celebration.  

Three months later, SJ was called into the office of Ms. Globakar, where they were told they were being fired for “failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct.” Because they were probationary (due to a technicality from COVID-era hiring), SJ had less recourse and protection than their two fellow rangers involved in the flag hanging, who were both placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. In addition, other climbers/visitors involved may be facing criminal prosecution. While all three rangers were off-duty that day, the management team is alleging the group broke a rule that applies to all visitors: conducting a demonstration without a permit. 

Whether that argument is legitimate hinges on some grey areas within Yosemite’s Superintendent’s Compendium. First - does the hanging of the flag meet the definition of a “demonstration?” Or, was this a celebration similar to those historically allowed? In Yosemite and many other parks across the country, demonstrations for groups under 25 people are allowed outside the park’s designated First Amendment areas. 

A gathering was held for SJ on August 23rd at Yosemite’s First Amendment site. Off-duty colleagues, friends, and supporters chanted and marched to get their story out and fight for SJ  to be reinstated to the job they earned, loved, and excelled at. 

SJ, a wildlife biologist with an affinity for bats who manages data on wildlife populations while leading programs in the park, deserves their career back. 

🥷Burgum Involves Park Police in Washington, D.C. Takeover

Meanwhile, across the country, jarring scenes continue to come in from our nation’s capital. It has been over a month now since the local Metropolitan Police were placed under federal control via Executive Order and the National Guard were deployed to Washington, D.C. The move was made ostensibly to “reduce crime” after one incident: an August 3rd early morning assault on DOGE operative Edward “Big Balls” Coristine. 

The president’s emergency declaration ended on September 10th following a pledge from Mayor Muriel Bowser that Metropolitan Police would collaborate with federal law enforcement indefinitely. How does this involve the National Park Service? Well, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum took a break from Fox News appearances to pledge the NPS’ Park Police to aid the President’s D.C. takeover. While NPS has lost 24% of its staffing and a hiring freeze has prevented all vacant permanent positions from being filled for nine months, the D.C. Park Police are staffing up, big time. A job posting for the Park Police lists “MANY vacancies” with eye-watering benefits. A $70,000 signing bonus is on offer, and DOI emails about the positions state that remote hiring, expedited background checks, and “potential” student loan repayment to the tune of $60,000 are all part of the package as well. 

The stated mission for these roles? “Making D.C. safe and beautiful!” As parks suffer under the weight of decreased staffing (including a dearth of law enforcement rangers), we find that breaking the bank to hire new D.C. Park Police to participate in the President’s vanity project is irresponsible at best. What is the end goal here? TO BE CONTINUED…

⭐A Little Something Wholesome

You are invited to read this lovely reader submission regarding their recent travels to park sites: 

“On August 8th, a small group of activists from Lawrence, Kansas, visited The Brown v. Board National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas, and the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve outside of Strong City, Kansas. We took cookies and fruit and thank you cards for the Park Rangers to express our deep appreciation for their service to our country and to convey our outrage at what the current Republicans are doing to undermine and defund our treasured national parks. While at Brown v Board, we saw the sign that all parks are now required to display, suggesting that visitors should report anything negative about past or living Americans. Unbelievable! We expressed our support and concerns about the future of each of the sites, especially Brown v. Board.

This was a real lift for us, as activists, and hopefully for the Rangers.” 🩵

Inspired to write your own review? A notice just dropped in the Federal Register soliciting opinions on “improvements that could be made to visitor services in parks, including more efficient ways to deliver and manage those services.” Here’s a bright idea: don’t fire us? Hire more people? Wowza. “Improving Visitor Services in National Parks” is open for public comment until October 6! 

🤫And So It Begins (Censorship Edition)

For months now, QR code “Snitch Signs” have been posted at all National Park Service units encouraging visitors to report any sign, image, or message that “disparages Americans past or living.” In September, reported signs and website pages came down at an alarming pace. 

The results have made national headlines. Orders came out to certain parks to remove uncomfortable reminders of our past: a reproduced version of the “Scourged Back” photo from Fort Pulaski National Monument, a sign deconstructing the “Lost Cause” argument that minimizes the horrors of slavery and the role its institution played in the Civil War, and land acknowledgement signs from multiple parks that discuss the removal of Native Americans from their lands. The removal and altering of these signs commenced on September 17th and parks have been ordered to comply with the demands promptly.

The blowback from the public has been significant. Already, DOI has backed off the removal of the “Scourged Back” photo from Fort Pulaski, per a department spokeswoman. 

🤝A More Perfect Union

Beloved icons of the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park (YOSE) and the jointly-administered Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) have long drawn crowds who wish to gaze upon jaw-dropping granite monoliths and valleys, sparkling alpine lakes, and imposing sequoia trees. Together, these parks are now leading the effort to protect the rangers of today and tomorrow. Both voted to unionize with the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE). NFFE representation provides immediate aid to rangers via increased legal representation and RIF (reduction in force) protections, and also supports rangers addressing dilapidated government-leased housing, increased access to training and hazard pay, and equipment stipends. 

The results were overwhelming. Both parks voted, by significant margins, to join NFFE and are now unionized. We stand with the rangers of YOSE and SEKI as they fight for their rights and a stronger NPS. 

🎂Happy Birthday, NPS

A dear friend recently shared a poignant fact: finding joy is resistance in and of itself. August 25th was something worthy of a little celebration: the 109th birthday of the National Park Service! The NPS continues to provide countless memories to families across the US & preserve the stories and resources that define our past and present. Resistance Rangers continue to fight for that ideal which so beautifully graces the Roosevelt Arch in Yellowstone: “For the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” Here’s to many more birthdays, beloved parks family! We will not let this dream die - not now, not during this administration, and not for future generations. 

Meanwhile, National Public Lands day looms: we’re crafting a campaign that culminates in late September. More info to come - keep an eye on our socials!

🙃National Snark Service

To the surprise of just about no one, the government cancelled their annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) in mid-August. This survey is required by federal law and gives employees a chance to anonymously express their thoughts and concerns each year. The reason the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) gave? Can you guess? Wait for it…They are working on getting rid of questions related to diversity. 

We question what the good people of OPM have been doing the past seven months. Having taken the survey multiple times, this author is left with the feeling that one employee could revise the wording on the entire survey in an afternoon, if they so pleased. Maybe DOGE is having trouble figuring out how to edit the form…?

🚣From the Field

With the signing of the “Big Beautiful Bill” on July 4th, it was announced that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding had been rescinded, taking away $267 million from the National Park Service. The IRA was used to fund dozens of mission-critical positions at NPS sites across the country. Parks had to scramble to find money to cover IRA positions to varying degrees of success. Some regions were able to step in to cover funding for IRA positions through September 30th. IRA positions have remained critical to everyday park operations, as well as planning and implementing America250 commemorative events. It is counterintuitive that these positions are being cut when the America250 celebration is a stated priority of this administration. Dozens more park employees will be quietly laid off on September 30th because of the provision snuck into the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

✉ Words to Wallow With:

"Shame is a cruel thing. It should rest on the perpetrators but they don't carry it the way the victims do." - George Takei, American Actor, excerpted from his memoir of his time in Manzanar Internment Camp, now a National Historic Site

🗞️A note on future issues: 

Have a cool story you want highlighted here? Want to showcase that once-in-a-lifetime pic you captured at a park recently? Have some insight, reflection, or idea that you feel is worth sharing to the Resistance? What are you waiting for?! Reach out to us and we may just include your submission in future editions! 

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up for the Resistance Ranger email list to receive the latest news and help us resist the destruction of “America’s Greatest Idea” (Following the email list link will take a brief moment because it goes to an encrypted form to keep your data safe).

💔Cast A-RIF’ed…Again?

As of this writing, NPS employees are in an eerie waiting period, waiting for further news about expected RIFs. To be honest - the fact that the RIF is still on pause is a WIN. Each week without a RIF is a victory. In advance of any official announcement about the fates of thousands of rangers, we would like to give our appreciation and gratitude to anyone who will be affected - thank you for your hard work and dedication to protecting America’s public lands and heritage.

Lingering in the background, but also of note, is that the Trump administration extended the hiring freeze for permanent positions another 90 days (until October 15th). By that point, the NPS will have been unable to fill the growing number of empty permanent positions for 9 months and counting. Public safety and law enforcement related positions are exempt from these and other restrictions.

💡433 Spotlight

Let's put some lesser-known parks in the spotlight, shall we? This week, we look at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. Let’s give a shoutout to this hidden gem tucked away in North Texas; the “oasis of the Texas plains”  is celebrating its 60th anniversary as an NPS unit this year! Containing the largest body of water 200 miles in each direction, this little-known and isolated site attracted 1,212,905 visitors in 2024 to experience an outdoor paradise. Choose your own adventure here with recreational options such as boating, biking, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, and even off-roading!

Ample wildlife enjoy the lake and surrounding grasslands, including over 300 bird species! Showstoppers include: the Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, and lightning-fast Greater Roadrunner. The land has a fascinating history as well: it’s been a lifeblood to many different Native American tribes throughout history, it was visited by Spanish explorers, and it served as a family ranch for the McBride family following the forced removal of Native tribes. The McBride home is the oldest surviving building in that county. Click here to learn more!

🆕Guardians of Heritage

RR’s incredible Cultural Resources team is proud to present the first in their series of articles breaking down how the crucial, necessary work they do alongside our Indigenous tribal communities. Learn how these professionals ensure that agreements are upheld, emphasize Indigenous history and culture in an honest and accurate manner, and pursue co-stewardship possibilities of our public lands. Read the first of many articles here!

⌚One Thing to Watch:

Tucked into the officially titled Big Beautiful Bill (BBB), signed into law on July 4th, is a provision that ends all programs funded by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. This includes a loss of $267,000,000 in Inflation Reduction Act funds that were intended to be used for NPS hiring (or continued funding of current NPS positions). We regret to inform our readers that yet more projects and jobs will fall by the wayside as a result of this bill.

Due to this provision, current IRA-funded positions are also at risk of being cut. How this manifests for IRA-funded employees varies from park to park. Some parks have alternate funding sources available to cover the personnel costs of these positions, while other parks do not. Many of these IRA-funded positions and programs were specifically slated to prepare for the 250th birthday of the United States in 2026 - something that this administration has been laser-focused on. These parks are now forced to make an impossible decision: use money dedicated to other projects to ensure A250 carries on? Sacrifice hiring much-needed positions in maintenance, administration, and safety so they can continue to pay the amazing rangers dedicated to A250?

We can’t talk about funding without talking about tax cuts for the rich. We thought it miiiiiight be helpful to showcase just how much money in taxes will no longer be collected from the ultra-wealthy:

💰 For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, SpaceX received $3.7 billion in government contracts, over $400 million more than the entire NPS budget!

🤑 For the top 1% of Americans, the BBB tax cuts will save them $116 billion in 2026 alone. That amount of money could fund the NPS at current levels for over 35 years!

🤔 Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is a billionaire. Who do you think his policies are helping the most?

😓 End of an Era:

The Albright and Mather Training Centers (at Grand Canyon National Park and Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park, respectively) are set to be closed by DOI. These institutions, a crucial training base for park rangers and NPS employees for generations, are casualties of DOI’s restructuring of all training staff to the department level. Staff and former students who cut their ranger teeth at both centers lament what is the end of an era for the National Park Service. Rangers are currently sharing their transformative and memorable experiences at the Horace Albright Training Center for an upcoming episode of the Resistance Rangers On the Air podcast.

🔥 Words to Wallow With:

By transferring 'small p' parks to the states, the Trump administration and its supporters aren't giving states more power or saving taxpayer money. They'll be cutting off your access to public land and devastating state economies in the process. Overwhelming state budgets. Dismantling the systems that keep public lands running. We know that the National Park system units are powerful economic drivers of our local and state economies.”

- New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. 

And we have a double feature here this week! The natural resources committee in the House is making their own stir, via a letter targeting Doug Burgum.

📺 Propaganda of the Week (POTY):

For those outside the NPS/Department of the Interior (DOI) workforce, we feel it is worth shining a spotlight on the state of the Inside Interior media since the change in administration this year. Once a fascinating insight into the projects and people working to aid in the Interior’s mission of managing the cultural and natural resources of the nation, Inside Interior has become a laughable propaganda arm of the Department and Administration.

The edition for July 4th, however, was a pathetic showing - even by these new, low standards. Like something out of the Onion, we open with an eagle screeching (actually the sound of a red-tailed hawk) and Trump dancing to the YMCA. It ends with tips on how to celebrate July 4th “the MAGA way.” (How do you spell “Hatch Act violation? M-A-G-A)

In the middle of that brutal propaganda sandwich is a fawning Deputy Press Secretary (Aubrie Spady) going to such extreme lengths to praise the president that it almost seems like a joke. Beneath it all, there is not one message in line with the Department’s mission. Here’s the link; prepare for copious amounts of cringe.

🌲Updates

We close this issue with updates on some headlines from our prior releases, on the Western wildfires and the QR code “Snitch Signs.”

At last update (8/4), the fire raging along the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison reached 52% containment after engulfing over 4,000 acres thus far. Park infrastructure that has been damaged includes bathrooms, a maintenance facility, and part of a campground. The North Rim has been able to partially reopen to visitors.

Down at the Grand Canyon, the situation remains critical. The Dragon Bravo Fire, which consumed the historic lodge and park housing along the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, continues to grow and has become the largest wildfire in the United States so far in 2025, now having covered over 100,000 acres. As of August 8th, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon has officially closed for the season and several trails remain closed due to smoke inside the canyon.

Over in California, Muir Woods National Monument is in the news for becoming the first victim of the “Snitch Sign” initiative that DOI engaged in to root out signs that “portrays American history and landscapes in a negative light.” A historical sign along the park’s main trail through stunning coastal redwoods, which described the timeline of how the grove to be protected, was updated in 2021 to acknowledge the original Indigenous caretakers, the women’s group that campaigned for protection, and the layered history of some key players in the protection of the area. A comment area was added for feedback about the project, which was overwhelmingly positive. The original sign had never been fully replaced; just additions were made to it by Muir Woods rangers. Those additions are now being forcibly removed.

Being a ranger these days is tough. It’s even more tough when your park is on fire, your home has burned, or you’re a first-hand witness to insane censorship. If you’d like to drop a line of support, please send well-wishes to:

Black Canyon of the Gunnison staff: 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison CO 81230

Grand Canyon North Rim staff, PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Muir Woods staff: 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941

📰 A note on future issues: 

Have a cool story you want highlighted here? Want to showcase that once-in-a-lifetime pic you captured at a park recently? Have some insight, reflection, or idea that you feel is worth sharing to the Resistance? What are you waiting for?! Reach out to us and we may just include your submission in future editions!

In solidarity - and for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations,

Resistance Rangers