National Parks Report 320 Million Annual Visitors Amid Policy Changes

Why it matters locally: Utah is home to five national parks, which collectively draw millions of visitors annually. Changes to exhibit policies and construction projects could directly affect the visitor experience and infrastructure within these popular sites, impacting state tourism and conservation efforts.

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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.