Shutdown Resources

What a Federal Government Shutdown Means for PLA Members

Updated: January 23, 2019

The partial government shutdown which began December 22, 2018 has had devastating impacts on nonprofit partners of public lands. The House of Representatives has begun movement to approve legislation that would fully open the Department of the Interior and the USDA Forest Service. The Public Lands Alliance calls on the Senate to begin action as well so that public lands will be open again for visitors.

Read Jan 4, 2019 PLA Press Release

Read Jan 10, 2019 PLA Press Release

In a recent survey, several nonprofit partners of these public lands reported how this shutdown is impacting them. This page will be updated as we receive more information from our members and stakeholders. Due to the shutdown:

• $4.1 million lost in retail sales and visitor programs. This amount will continue to rise as the shutdown continues. These funds would have supported their nonprofit missions and enhanced public lands.

• 530+ nonprofit employees laid off, furloughed or compelled to take leave without pay. Congress is not considering legislation to provide back pay to these private sector workers.

Meanwhile, these nonprofits have also stepped up to support their public lands in this challenging time. 

• 65% have provided visitor information online and onsite

• 24% have coordinated volunteer clean-ups and cleaned restrooms

• Over $300,000 has been given in direct donations to land management agencies.

Shutdown Impacts on Nonprofits

Press Releases by PLA Members

• Great Smoky Mountains Association: Great Smoky Mountains Association Commits to Funding National Park Visitor Centers During Federal Government Shutdown

• Western National Parks Association: Western National Parks Association statement on government shutdown

PLA Members in the News

• Big Bend Conservancy: Big Bend and Other National Parks Feel the Pinch as Federal Shutdown Persists

• Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Conservancy keeps operating at Cuyahoga Valley National Park during partial shutdown

• Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association: Hawaii Volcanoes Park To Tap Recreation Fees During Shutdown

• Friends of Saguaro National Park: Volunteers work to keep Saguaro National Park clean

• Great Smoky Mountains Association: National Parks Struggle to Stay Open During Government Shutdown

• Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association: Non-Profit Aids Hawaii Volcanoes National Park During Shutdown

• Jefferson National Parks Association: Shutdown in St. Louis: Arch closure means lost revenue, 100 private workers off the job

• Mississippi Park Connection: A Hardship On Working Families: Government Shutdown Keeping Park Employees Out Of Work

• Mount Rushmore Society: Government shutdown impacts local nonprofit

• Pacific Historic Parks: Nonprofits Keep USS Arizona Memorial Open During Government Shutdown

• Rocky Mountain Conservancy: Strain Of The Shutdown Starts To Show At Rocky Mountain National Park

• Southern Nevada Conservancy: Government shutdown squeezes conservation groups, strains public land use

• South Florida National Parks Trust: Nonprofit staff and tour guides are keeping South Florida national parks clean

• Voyageurs National Park Association: Despite shutdown, Voyageurs National Park gets funding to partially reopen

• Zion National Park Forever Project: Zion National Park struggles to stay open during government shutdown