General Grant National Memorial in New York City is closed due to the lapse in federal appropriations. As a result, no visitor services will be provided during the shutdown. Photo Credit: NPCA / flickr
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SILVER SPRING, MD -- The Public Lands Alliance (PLA) is deeply concerned by the federal government shutdown and its impact on America's public lands, their visitors, and their partners. Below is a statement by Dan Puskar, executive director of PLA:
"Despite the Administration's attempts, hundreds of private sector workers are unable to report to their jobs today. They are employed by nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting America's public lands and educating new generations of their stewards. The Public Lands Alliance calls on Congress and the Administration to find common ground quickly, to reopen all public lands, and to allow these citizens to return to their jobs.
"Hundreds of public lands sites are closed. Visitor centers are unopened. Many small businesses in gateway communities outside of national parks, refuges, forests, conservation areas and monuments rely on public lands to be open and accessible. Those small businesses include the cooperating associations, friends groups, education centers, and other nonprofit organizations that reinvest every dollar they raise or make back into public lands.
"A prolonged standoff will have devastating impacts on the financial health of these nonprofit organizations, and by extension, the lands they support. A shutdown that closes nonprofit stores will mean less private funds to address maintenance projects or provide educational programs.
"All Americans, regardless of party or politics, treasure their public lands. It is unconscionable that they suffer when our elected officials cannot work together."
###
About the Public Lands Alliance
The Public Lands Alliance (PLA) is a national organization that works for the nonprofit partners of America's public lands. PLA connects the public lands community, strengthens their efforts through education and training and represents their interests at the national level.