“The Biggest National Park Crisis in History — And How We Can Stop It”

Visit topictotopic.com for a letter that you can send to your state Senators and Representatives. Join me, please. America’s national parks are facing the biggest funding crisis in their 109-year history. The 2026 federal budget proposes a massive $1.2 billion cut to the National Park Service—slashing operations, preservation, construction, and research. These aren’t small adjustments. These cuts threaten the future of our parks, our history, and our wild spaces. As I travel across the country for Life According to Lou, I’m taking you with me into national parks that could soon lose rangers, scientists, staff, and essential programs… or even struggle to keep their gates open. Up to 350 parks could lose staffing or funding—shrinking the National Park System by as much as 75%. This isn’t just about budget numbers. This is about whether we still value the air we breathe, the water we drink, the wildlife we protect, and the stories that shaped this country. I want every viewer to know what’s at stake. If you want to take action, you can find the full copy-and-paste letter on our partner page: TopictoTopic (link in description). No letter is included here—you’ll find everything you need directly on TopictoTopic's website. Join me as we explore America’s national parks, uncover their stories, and decide together: Are these places worth fighting for? Travel with me. Learn with me. Stand up for the wild places that belong to all of us. — Lou, Life According to Lou