No rangers, no rules: National parks suffer during shutdown

America's national parks — partially open despite the government shutdown — have become playgrounds for unsupervised visitors who are wreaking havoc on wildlife and fragile ecosystems.Why it matters: President Trump's decision to keep the parks open against the wishes of conservationists risks causing permanent damage to some of America's most beloved locations.Zoom in: Rowdy thrill-seekers have been illegally BASE jumping off of Yosemite's towering granite peaks, a recipe for disaster in a park that's experienced at least 25 accidental deaths from climbers falling, particularly during bad weather.The National Park Service told Axios that one of the stone walls at Gettysburg's Devil's Den was toppled in mid-October, desecrating a historic military landmark.A fire broke out last month at Joshua Tree campground, burning through over 70 acres and forcing campers to flee, according to CalFire.And drivers hoping to explore Yellowstone's geysers haven't had enough rangers to resolve repeated "bear jams" — the backup that happens when the carnivores get too close to the road.What they're saying: "We're worried about illegal and dangerous activity," Emily Thompson, executive director of the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, told Axios in a phone interview."You wouldn't visit a museum without curators to make sure things are protected and safe. You wouldn't fly to airports if our air traffic controllers weren't working," she said."Unfortunately, people shouldn't be in national parks." Graffiti at Arches National Park in Utah. Photo credit: Coalition to Protect America's National Parks.Threat level: Conservationists are also worried about the long-term, less visible impacts of the shutdown on the parks, Thompson said.Many parks have historic structures that need constant attention, and there are few staffers on hand to watch out for water leaks or other weather damage.The absence of staff also means there's no one to monitor air and water quality, keep an eye out for invasive species and wildlife disease growth, among other crucial behind-the-scenes work.Flashback: National Parks typically close during a shutdown, although Trump kept them open during the 2018-2019 shutdown that occurred during his first term.He funded the service by rerouting money from other places, which the Government Accountability Office later determined was illegal.Conservationists blasted the move at the time, particularly after reports surfaced of irreplaceable stolen artifacts, vandalism and chopped down trees at several national parks.State of play: The Department of the Interior's shutdown plan generally keeps "roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials" accessible to visitors, with the caveat that areas may be closed if access becomes a "safety, health, or resource protection issue."Parks may also close grounds with "sensitive natural, cultural, historic, or archaeological resources vulnerable to destruction, looting, or other damage."A spokesperson for the Interior told Axios that the department is "committed to protecting park resources, ensuring public safety, and maintaining visitor access to the greatest extent practicable.""We look forward to Congressional Democrats ending this shutdown so our staff can return to work supporting the park's mission," they said.Zoom out: Without rangers to collect entrance fees, parks are also missing out on critical dollars during peak fall foliage season, delivering another blow to programs that have seen their funding reduced under the Trump administration. Emily Douce, a spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association, told Axios in a phone interview that the scenario is "a double-edged sword.""We really would love Congress to reach out to Department of Interior and say, 'please do not move forward with any more reductions in force and please restore Park Service staff,' because the parks need to be protected."Go deeper: Poll: Voters in 8 Western states oppose Trump cuts to federal public lands agencies