Scientific Integrity at the National Park Service

A 2018 survey of National Park Service (NPS) scientists reveals significant concerns regarding the politicization of science, with 76% of respondents identifying political interests as a burden to science-based decisionmaking. The report highlights a 'chill on climate research,' noting that 26% of scientists avoided working on climate change or using the term even without explicit instructions. Additionally, 56% of respondents observed resources being diverted away from politically contentious programs, and 41% reported a deterioration in their ability to communicate scientific work to the public and media.

• NPS scientists report that political and business interests hinder science-based decisionmaking, with 76% (168 respondents) citing political interests and 57% (125 respondents) citing business interests as burdens.
• There is evidence of censorship and self-censorship specifically targeting climate change; 26% (55 respondents) avoided working on the topic or using the phrase "climate change" without being explicitly told to do so.
• Scientists report a diversion of resources, including funding and staff time, away from programs and offices whose work is perceived as politically contentious, a trend noted by 56% (128 respondents).
• Communication with the public and media has been restricted, with 41% (88 respondents) reporting a deterioration in their ability to communicate scientific work and 61% (134 respondents) stating they must obtain agency preapproval to speak with journalists.
• Barriers to science-based decisionmaking include a lack of qualified leadership, with 15% (92 respondents) citing an absence of leadership with scientific expertise and 9% (54 respondents) citing leadership delays.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2018). Scientific Integrity at the National Park Service. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/science-under-trump-nps.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Scientific Integrity at the National Park Service. 2018. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/science-under-trump-nps.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Scientific Integrity at the National Park Service |date=August 2018 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/science-under-trump-nps.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2018scientific, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Scientific Integrity at the National Park Service}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2018}, month = aug, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/science-under-trump-nps.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }