About this episode
More than 331 million visits were made to America's national parks last year—to hike stunning trails, drive scenic roads, and climb stairs in historic structures. But as the number of visitors has been growing, so have the maintenance needs for those trails, roads, and buildings. In this episode, The Pew Charitable Trusts explores that backlog of maintenance, which now totals more than $11.9 billion. Host Dan LeDuc speaks with Marcia Argust, director of Pew's campaign to restore America's parks; Phil Francis, a retired Blue Ridge Parkway superintendent who spent 40 years with the National Park Service (NPS); and Bryan Atchley, mayor of Sevierville, Tennessee, a gateway community to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To learn more, visit pewtrusts.org/afterthefact. (Sounds of nature recorded by the NPS' Jennifer Jerrett and Montana State University's Acoustic Atlas.)
Get every episode summarized
Each time After the Fact publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from After the Fact
Faith in America Today
After the Fact
The American Family: Postponing Parenthood
After the Fact
Scientists at Work: Studying Volcanic Eruptions—When, How Big, and How Fast?
After the Fact
From Lab to Life: What AI Tells Us About 'Long Covid'
After the Fact