National Parks Report 320 Million Annual Visitors Amid Policy Changes

Why it matters locally: North Carolina is home to several units of the National Park System, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which contribute significantly to the state's tourism economy. Changes to national park exhibits and ongoing construction projects could affect visitor experiences and resource management within these cherished natural areas.

National parks within the United States recorded over 320 million visitors in the past year. Tiernan Sittenfeld, president and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association, discussed the current conditions of these parklands. Sittenfeld noted policy changes directing revisions to park exhibits. She also identified construction projects initiated by former President Trump that have commenced within park boundaries.