110 years later, Latinos still among biggest supporters of the National Park Service

The document presents seven facts regarding the National Park Service (NPS) and its connection to Hispanic/Latino populations. It notes a significant underrepresentation of Latinos in the NPS workforce and leadership compared to their share of the U.S. population. It highlights historical figures like George Meléndez Wright and sites such as Chicano Park and Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The text also expresses concern over the removal of permanent workers since January 2025, the exclusion of U.S. territories from public surveys, and proposed mineral withdrawals in the Greater Chaco region.

• Hispanic/Latino representation in the National Park Service is low relative to the general population; they hold 7.4 percent of superintendent and deputy superintendent roles and 5.6 percent of the general workforce, while making up 21 percent of the U.S. population.
• Since January 2025, over 4,000 permanent NPS civil servants (25% of the workforce) have been removed, with a majority from western states. Among racial/ethnic groups, Hispanic/Latino voters are the most concerned about the reduction of park rangers, with 88 percent expressing concern.
• Despite making up only 11.8% of national park visitors in 2018, Hispanics and Latinos are the strongest supporters of NPS educational resources and stewardship elements.
• In the Greater Chaco Region surrounding Chaco Culture National Historic Park, 66 percent of Hispanic/Latino voters and 71 percent of western voters overall oppose the Bureau of Land Management's proposal to remove the 20-year mineral withdrawal to allow new oil and gas drilling.
• The National Park Service's most recent Comprehensive Survey of the American Public excluded participants from several U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, despite the presence of national parks in those areas.

APA

Juarez, O. (2026). 110 years later, Latinos still among biggest supporters of the National Park Service. GreenLatinos. https://www.greenlatinos.org/110-years-later-latinos-still-among-biggest-supporters-of-the-national-park-service/

Chicago

Juarez, Olivia. 110 years later, Latinos still among biggest supporters of the National Park Service. GreenLatinos, 2026. https://www.greenlatinos.org/110-years-later-latinos-still-among-biggest-supporters-of-the-national-park-service/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Juarez |first1=Olivia |title=110 years later, Latinos still among biggest supporters of the National Park Service |publisher=GreenLatinos |date=21 August 2026 |url=https://www.greenlatinos.org/110-years-later-latinos-still-among-biggest-supporters-of-the-national-park-service/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{juarez2026110, author = {Juarez, Olivia}, title = {{110 years later, Latinos still among biggest supporters of the National Park Service}}, institution = {GreenLatinos}, year = {2026}, month = aug, url = {https://www.greenlatinos.org/110-years-later-latinos-still-among-biggest-supporters-of-the-national-park-service/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }