COVID-19 Pandemic Causes Impacts and Opportunities for U.S. National Parks

By Abe Miller-Rushing

“What institutions of man can survive a morning experience?”

Henry David Thoreau in his Journal

 

In the early stages of the pandemic in April 2020, visitation to U.S. national parks declined by about 87 percent. In some parks visitation rebounded quickly as the summer progressed, while in others it remained low. For example, Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska got less than 10 percent of its normal visitation in 2020. Other parks, particularly those near urban areas, experienced increased numbers of visitors as people sought safe areas for recreation and exercise.

Some park programs continued, though with masks and distancing.

Many long-term research projects and management actions at national parks were delayed or cancelled due to COVID 19, which complicates the challenge of collecting adequate data for analysis.

 

Researchers continued a project restoring mountain meadows
at Acadia National park, but many other projects were cancelled.

Parks and partner organizations hired fewer seasonal employees and cancelled many internship and volunteer programs, creating hardships for those who rely on these opportunities to gain experience and skills.

 

At the same time, many parks, such Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana, offered more online programs and content.

 

Researchers are now evaluating how these changes have affected wildlife protection, visitor services, education, and park management, and what lessons can be learned.

 

The paper was published in Biological Conservation: Abraham J. Miller-Rushing et al. 2021. COVID-19 pandemic impacts on conservation research, management, and public engagement in US national parks. Biological Conservation 257: 109038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109038