At first glance, they look like typical summer tourism advertisements meant to lure travelers. But the six billboards that popped up in Duluth earlier this month that read “Greetings from Voyageurs National Park” instead blast the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, for budget cuts it made to the National Park Service earlier this year.
The billboards were put up by the group More Perfect Union, a liberal advocacy group that placed 300 billboards in more than 40 cities across the country to highlight cuts to funding and services at national parks. The group put up an additional billboard highlighting Voyageurs in Hermantown, which borders Duluth.
“Some elected officials and unelected billionaires would rather privatize or eliminate our public services,” said Faiz Shakir, executive director of More Perfect Union and former campaign director for Sen. Bernie Sanders, a former presidential candidate.
“We believe strongly in the need for great public parks and outdoor spaces that all Americans can enjoy," Shakir said.
The National Park Service laid off about 1,000 probationary workers in February, part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk to slash spending and downsize the federal workforce.
Katie Martin, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of the Interior called More Perfect Union a “Bernie Sanders’ dark money group.” The nonprofit has received more than $2 million in funding from the George Soros’ Open Society Foundations.
“We are working hard to make this another great year for visitors so that everyone can enjoy the beauty and wonder of the treasured landscapes in our Parks across the country,” said Martin. “Park employees nationwide are enthusiastically preparing for an exciting peak season, with a shared goal of delivering exceptional service and unforgettable park experiences.”
More than 330 million Americans visited a national park last year. More than 200,000 travel every year to Voyageurs, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. It’s Minnesota’s only national park.
It’s unclear how many jobs have been cut at Voyageurs. At least one ranger was fired in February. She was later invited by U.S. Sen. Tina Smith to attend the President’s address to Congress.
But according to Christina Hausman Rhode, executive director of Voyageurs Conservancy, the nonprofit that fundraises and advocates on behalf of the park, there are currently 10 vacancies for a variety of reasons, including early retirement, budget reductions and the current federal hiring freeze.
Park Superintendent Bob DeGross is also retiring in June.
“With the hiring freeze, the critical position will not be formally filled and existing staff will have to balance multiple interim positions and duties,” said Hausman Rhode, who added that the funding uncertainties and reduced staffing are creating a lot of stress for employees.
Meanwhile the Voyageurs Conservancy is planning to put up billboards of its own this summer, to celebrate the park’s 50th anniversary.
“Now, more than ever, the half-century milestone is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on Minnesota's National Park, and to share why this treasured place is so special and worthy of support, funding, and stability,” said Hausman Rhode.
