Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks

7/3/2025

Executive Orders

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Action Summary

Policy Objective: Preserve and enhance the enjoyment of America’s national parks by increasing revenue from foreign tourists while improving affordability and access for U.S. residents.
Fee Adjustments:
- Increase entrance and recreation pass fees for nonresidents in areas currently charging fees.
- Adjust prices for the America the Beautiful Pass and other regional passes for nonresidents.
Revenue Utilization: Use the increased fee revenue to invest in infrastructure improvements and enhance recreational opportunities in national parks.
Service Improvements: Enhance services and affordability for U.S. residents visiting national parks, ensuring improved recreational access.
Tourism Promotion: Collaborate with the Secretary of State to boost international tourism and better utilize underused park areas.
Maintenance and Infrastructure:
- Review and address the maintenance backlog within the National Park Service.
- Fully implement the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as established by the Great American Outdoors Act.
- Increase visitor capacity to allow more Americans to experience national parks.
Regulatory Review:
- Examine and update Department of the Interior’s rules and policies related to public use and recreational access in national parks.
- Rescind any rules that unnecessarily restrict recreation, with particular scrutiny on policies from the previous administration.
- Implement preferential treatment for American residents in remaining recreational access rules, consistent with applicable law.
Revocation: Revoke the January 12, 2017 Presidential Memorandum on Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters.
General Provisions:
- Clarify that nothing in the order affects the authority of executive departments or the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
- State that the order is implemented according to applicable law and available appropriations, and does not create enforceable rights or benefits.
- The Department of the Interior will bear the cost of publication.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order aims to increase revenue from foreign tourists by raising entry fees, which could potentially reduce international visitation. This may impact Vanderbilt’s international student recruitment efforts if prospective students perceive the U.S. as less welcoming.
Improving affordability for U.S. residents could enhance domestic tourism, potentially benefiting local economies and providing more opportunities for Vanderbilt students to engage in national park-related research and recreational activities.
The revocation of the previous administration’s memorandum on promoting diversity and inclusion in national parks may signal a shift away from diversity-focused policies, which could affect Vanderbilt’s DEI initiatives and partnerships with federal agencies.
Vanderbilt’s environmental and sustainability programs may need to adjust their focus to align with the new priorities of the National Park Service, particularly in areas related to infrastructure improvement and increased visitor capacity.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Environmental Science and Sustainability Programs may find new opportunities for research and collaboration with the National Park Service as it seeks to improve park infrastructure and visitor experiences.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services might need to address concerns from international students regarding increased fees and perceived barriers to accessing national parks.
Vanderbilt’s Community Engagement Initiatives could explore partnerships with local and national organizations to support efforts in making national parks more accessible and enjoyable for U.S. residents.

Financial Impact

The potential increase in domestic tourism could lead to economic benefits for regions surrounding national parks, indirectly benefiting Vanderbilt through enhanced local partnerships and community engagement.
Changes in international tourism patterns may affect Vanderbilt’s international student recruitment and retention strategies, potentially impacting tuition revenue and campus diversity.
Vanderbilt may have opportunities to secure funding for projects related to national park infrastructure and visitor experience improvements, aligning with federal priorities.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance or shifts in strategic focus for certain programs.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program should explore partnerships with the Department of the Interior to engage in research and development projects aimed at improving national park infrastructure and visitor experiences. This could include studies on sustainable tourism practices and the impact of increased fees on park accessibility.
The Office of Federal Relations should monitor changes in international tourism policies and their potential impact on Vanderbilt’s international student recruitment and engagement strategies. Understanding these dynamics can help the university adapt its outreach and support services for international students.
Vanderbilt’s Department of Political Science should analyze the implications of revoking the 2017 Presidential Memorandum on diversity and inclusion in national parks. This research can provide insights into broader trends in federal diversity policies and their potential impact on university programs and initiatives.
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity & American Democracy can leverage this executive order to host discussions and forums on the role of national parks in promoting national unity and environmental stewardship. These events can enhance Vanderbilt’s reputation as a leader in public discourse on national policy issues.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to collaborate on projects aimed at developing innovative solutions for national park infrastructure improvements. This could include designing sustainable energy systems or advanced visitor management technologies.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on national parks by developing educational programs and field studies that utilize these natural resources as living laboratories. This approach can enhance experiential learning opportunities for students across various disciplines.
The emphasis on improving services and affordability for U.S. residents offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for Community Studies to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the center can influence how these changes are implemented to support equitable access to national parks.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents some adjustments needed to processes or procedures, particularly in research and partnerships related to national parks and international tourism.)

Average Relevance Score: 2.8

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – No specific deadlines or timeframes are provided in the text; the order indicates implementation will proceed consistent with applicable law and appropriations.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of the Interior: Tasked with developing revenue strategies, revising recreational access rules, improving national park infrastructure, and overseeing the National Park Service.
Department of Agriculture: Collaborates with the Department of the Interior to adjust pass pricing and enhance services at national parks.
Department of State: Works with the Department of the Interior to promote international tourism to national parks and other federal recreational lands.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Not directly responsible for implementing this order but noted for its ongoing role in budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals that remain unaffected.

Relevance Score: 2 (A small number of targeted Federal Agencies are impacted by the order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of the Interior – Charged with developing strategies to increase revenue and enhancing visitor experiences at national parks, as well as overseeing policy reviews and infrastructure improvements.
Secretary of Agriculture – Collaborating with the Secretary of the Interior to adjust fee structures and improve services for U.S. residents at national parks.
Secretary of State – Partnering with the Secretary of the Interior to promote international tourism to America’s national parks and recreational areas.

Relevance Score: 5 (The directives are aimed at cabinet-level officials with broad national policy and infrastructure implications.)