Park rangers have banded together to crowdsource terminations and catalog the number of National Park Service employees who have been fired across the nation since what is being called the Valentine's Day Massacre by many in the service.

“I essentially crowdsourced the information from hundreds, possibly thousands, of park rangers who chipped in for providing information on their own park,” a representative of the rangers wrote in an email to SFGATE, which first reported the story. “I have put in dozens of hours of my own time to accumulate this information within the past week,” the ranger added. “I truly believe this information should be seen by the general public.”

The rangers, who wish to remain anonymous due to possible retribution in future employment, want the public to know how many people got fired on Feb. 14 in what’s being called the “Valentine’s Day Massacre,” says one seasonal park ranger who is leading the charge. The rangers requested anonymity to protect their jobs.

At this time, superintendents and park spokespersons are refusing to speak to the press about their workforce issues and require media sources contact National Park Service public information officers for comment. When approached about employment figures and the jobs these folks performed, the only answers have been vague, but positive statements.

"We are focused on ensuring that every visitor has the chance to explore and connect with the incredible, iconic spaces of our national parks," a park spokesman replied to inquiries.

However, in recent news from the courts, some employees let go during probationary periods are being rehired due to those employees allegedly being let go illegally.

"In compliance with court orders, the Department of the Interior is reinstating employees. All impacted employees will receive back pay, and the Department will ensure continued compensation as the White House pursues its appeals process," a park spokesperson, who also requested anonymity, said Thursday in an email exchange with the Powell Tribune.

Several of the Wyoming park employees have already been hired back, due to the court order. But as others leave for typical reasons (like finding other employment and retirements) they can't be replaced due to the Trump administration's hiring freeze. Statistics for these losses were unavailable as of the Tribune's press deadline.

Park stats

Yellowstone National Park initially lost seven employees in the first round of layoffs, according to the rangers, the most of any National Park properties in Wyoming. It makes sense, as Yellowstone employs more people than any other park property in Wyoming. Yellowstone employs almost 400 full-time employees.

The rest of the work is done by relatively low-paid seasonal employees and employees of park vendors, who run hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, gas stations and other sales related entities.

Some seasonal employees are eligible for federal health care policies and other benefits. This year parks were scrambling to get their seasonal staffs hired and on the job after the process was delayed during their critical hiring period. Some parks have reported a reduction in the number of seasonal employees authorized for the year. For example, a park property may have a dozen seasonal employees during a regular year, but they may only be authorized to hire less than half the usual staff.

Grand Teton National Park lost four employees in the round of layoffs. The percentage fired was higher than Yellowstone, which lost about 1.75% of its workforce, due to the park only employing about 100 full-time employees. Grand Teton lost 4% of its workforce.

There are four other National Park properties in the region, all managed by Acting Superintendent Justin Sene. The superintendent's office is usually at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Sene is currently overseeing Devils Tower National Monument, Ft. Laramie National Historic Site, Little Bighorn National Monument and Bighorn Canyon.

Losing a single employee is a much higher percentage lost for the smaller park properties than with the bigger, more popular parks. On Feb. 14, Bighorn Canyon and Devils Tower lost two employees each, Ft. Laramie lost one employee and Little Bighorn National Monument escaped the layoffs unscathed.

Whether visitors will notice longer waits or slower turnaround on maintenance issues, like cleaning bathrooms and emptying garbage cans, is unknown.

Currently, the National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation losses of employees are unknown, but, according to firefighters whose crews were not affected, the Shoshone National Forest lost five of eight members of its recreation team: those who clean bathrooms and empty garbage. An inquiry sent to a National Forest Service spokesperson has not been answered.

Fewer visitors?

There may be a dip in visitation this year as Canadian vacationers may decide to stay home.

New tariffs on Canada could impact Canadian visitation to and spending in the United States, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Canada is the top source of international visitors to the United States, with 20.4 million visits in 2024, generating $20.5 billion in spending and supporting 140,000 American jobs. A 10% reduction in Canadian travel could mean 2 million fewer visits, $2.1 billion in lost spending and 14,000 job losses.

According to the most recent data available from visitor use studies by the National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park gets about 100,000 visitors from Canada per year. However, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been urging residents to do staycations, rather than traveling to the states, due to the meltdown of the relationship between the neighboring countries.

“Now is the time to choose Canada ... It might mean changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada and explore the many national and provincial parks, historical sites and tourist destinations our great country has to offer," Trudeau said.

According to the association, area shops could see declines in retail and hospitality revenue, as shopping is the top leisure activity for Canadian visitors.