This week #ParkChat is back with @pamportland.org as our special guest host. Her topic is “National Park Communities” and elaborates:

“We rely heavily on the resources in the shoulder communities. Let’s explore the NPS sites through their nearby neighbors!”

Please join us!

The MLK Jr monument in DC

How was this incredible man only 39 when he died 58 years ago today? His words reverberate across the decades, as of someone timeless, immortal.

#mlk #ParkChat

A vertical, low-angle photograph capturing a massive, mature Saguaro cactus standing against a clear blue sky filled with soft, white cumulus clouds. The cactus is composed of a main, towering trunk and at least five large, symmetrical arms that curve upward. Its surface is defined by deep, vertical green ribs covered in clusters of light brown spines. In the top segment of the main trunk, several distinct, dark, circular nesting holes (known as "saguaro boots") are visible. Perched on the very highest tip of the central arm is a small, dark bird, identified as a Gila Woodpecker, facing to the right. The strong sunlight casts soft shadows across the cactus ribs, emphasizing its textured, ribbed structure.

Checking into the desert's busiest high-rise. 🏨🌵

These Saguaros support entire ecosystems, providing food and shelter in one of the harshest environments on earth. This Gila Woodpecker has the best view of the park!

#Saguaro #NationalPark #Arizona #Nature #Photography #DesertLife #Cactus #ParkChat

Great hat BTW! 😉👌 #parkchat

Massive Big Bend lodge overhaul called off at the last minute Costs and delays forced the project's cancellation.

#ParkChat #NationalParks

www.chron.com/life/wildlif...

I love this place. So much. #FindYourPark #ParkChat

Agreed! Beautiful picture! #ParkChat

I need to get back to Glacier. It's been almost 10 years now. #ParkChat

Yeah -- and unfortunately I can only focus on one (Public Lands) and NOT all the other things I care about. Until there are more than 24 hours in a day I'll be required to limit myself. #ParkChat

Trump Administration Proposes Massive Cuts to National Park Service Budget (Again), While Asking for $10 Billion for “Beautification Projects” in Washington, D.C. Fiscal Year 2027 budget request includes a 26% cut to the NPS operations budget, and 19% cut to its employment budget

Simply put, this budget proposal is yet another attempt to gut the National Park Service. It’s a $760 million budget cut. Or a full 26% reduction of the entire NPS budget.

#protectourparks #parkchat #nationalparsk #publiclands

Trump budget seeks $1.5 trillion in defense spending alongside domestic program cuts In his annual budget, President Trump is asking Congress to boost defense spending to $1.5 trillion, the largest such request in decades.

But 1.5 trillion for defense. #parkchat

www.npr.org/2026/04/03/n...

Trump admin proposing 'catastrophic' cuts to the National Park Service The administration proposed slashing Park Service funding and staffing further.

Thought y’all would want to see this. #ParkChat

www.sfgate.com/national-par...

Love it! #ParkChat

Beautiful! #ParkChat

Of course, Todd is also in the #ParkChat Hall of Fame....

Trump administration orders dismantling of the U.S. Forest Service Late Tuesday afternoon, with the subtlety of a wrecking ball and the morality of a foreclosure notice, the Trump administration announced the most devastating attack on the U.S. Forest Service in the ...

#Forest Service and labs gone. Carnage in resource management continues as Trump transfer management to commercial oligarchs.

#usfs #parkchat #forest #saveourparks #science #nationalparks #museum #nature

www.hatchmag.com/articles/tru...

We Built the First Real-Time Threat Map for America’s Public Lands We’re tracking every active threat to America’s protected lands, with everything you need to act before the votes happen. Free and open to everyone.

This will help us fight back where possible and prevent the wholesale destruction of our public lands, the flora and fauna within them, and the loss for our future generations of what makes America, America. IT’S FREE. PASS IT ON.

#SheShed #ParkChat #Hiking

open.substack.com/pub/morethan...

Hi Guys! We visited the Tulips Fields near Mt Vernon WA this afternoon. Cold & windy but very scenic. #parkchat

#parkchat

More upsetting news. Call your Representatives & Congress to stop this! #ParkChat #BlueCrew #Resist

A cluster of pink manzanita flowers, dripping with dew. Dark green leaves in the background.

So much bad news. I'm not watching TV, but am very upset about the dismantling of the US Forest Service. I need a nature reset. Here's a photo, share one of your nature photos. #ParkChat

Same.

#ParkChat

I call these the Daily Outrage but there are usually more than one. #ParkChat

#ParkChat In case y'all hadn't hear the latest shenanigans:
www.usda.gov/about-usda/n...

For the record, I don't have a good feeling about this.

Not taken enough water 😖 #ParkChat

Just a reminder if you're looking for #ParkChat 🔍 tonight. The special 12th Anniversary chat has been rescheduled to May 6th.

a close up of a brown bear with its mouth wide open ALT: a close up of a brown bear with its mouth wide open

#parkchat went hiking in bear country and forgot our bear spray.

#parkchat Since it’s All Fools Day, I’m curious… what’s the craziest most foolish things you’ve ever done in a park?

#parkchat Hey, folks. I’m up for park-chatting with whomever would like to join me tonight. No joke!

I'm glued to the Artemis II coverage instead of the address! #parkchat