The Federal Government Shutdown's Impact on the Nonprofit Partners of America's Public Lands

  

The 43-day government shutdown has had devastating impacts on nonprofit partners of public lands, including a loss of over $6.2 million in revenue, halting of critical conservation programs and infrastructure projects, and the termination or furlough of over 1,200 employees. Explore more impacts in the "Shutdown Industry Survey" graphic below. 

 

How PLA Supported its Members

 

Immediately following the start of the shutdown, PLA began compiling resources into a central hub for members. Resources included agency contingency plans, agency template agreements for conditional approval to stay open and support parks with donation dollars, constituent communications examples, and advice for federal grant recipients. 

PLA hosted weekly shutdown check-in meetings with executive leaders to share insights and information with the community. The knowledge shared during these meetings often resulted in additional resources for the shutdown resources page.

Now that the shutdown is over, PLA will compile final data from nonprofit partners on the short and long-term impacts of the shutdown. The graphic below will be updated as data becomes available. 

 

Government Shutdown Industry Survey

The data represents impacts from 10.1 - 11.4

Click Here to download or view a larger version of the graphic

 

Click Here to view the Week 1 - 4 Shutdown Infographic

In Their Own Words: How the Shutdown is Affecting Public Lands Partners

 

"A complete shutdown of our entire campus in the middle of our community has an extraordinary impact on everyone, citizens and visitors. Economically, it has had a tremendous impact on our organization but most importantly, on our entire county."

 

"We currently operate retail out of 9 public land offices and have staff in 5 of those locations who have been furloughed."

  

"Both of our in-park retail locations are closed, and we are only able to keep our small online store operational. We estimate losses close to $7,000 per day each day we are closed in October."

 

"Our budget/bank account is at zero. I continue to work without pay, but our employees will not receive back pay."

  

 "Trail partner work on clearing and repairing trails in the offseason is impacted; thru hikers do not have full campground and permit access; coordination with federal partners on various projects is halted."

 

"Generally, this is the season where many of our trails get work done to prep and repair long-distance trails. Not having the access or coordination to do this work before winter snows degrades trails and can impact access to trails in the spring."

  

"If the shutdown continues, we will have to cancel a contract for conservation tree work that takes place annually in October." 

 

"Do I furlough my gift shop manager? I don't know what to do."