Govind Tekale
President Trump signed two executive orders on July 3, 2025, setting up a new “Make America Beautiful Again” (MABA) Commission and changing how national parks operate. The plan raises fees for foreign visitors while keeping costs low for Americans.
“The national parks will be about America first,” Trump said at an Iowa rally. By charging foreign visitors more, the government expects to bring in an extra $90 million each year to fix aging park facilities.
The MABA Commission, led by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, aims to cut through red tape that slows down land management decisions. The orders push for more hunting, fishing, hiking, and off-roading on public lands.
“Conservation and economic growth go hand in hand,” reads the executive order. This marks a big change from previous approaches that limited certain activities on federal lands.
The outdoor recreation economy is huge – supporting 5 million jobs and generating $1.2 trillion yearly. Trump’s team believes opening more land for recreation will boost these numbers further.
But there’s a catch. At the same time, Trump has proposed cutting over $1 billion from the National Park Service budget for next year. Park staffing has already dropped by 24% since January, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.
The backlog of repairs needed across national parks has reached $23 billion, with another $10.8 billion in fixes needed in national forests. The new fee money will help, but critics wonder if it’s enough given the budget cuts.
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Trump also canceled a 2017 memo that focused on diversity in national parks. This fits with his broader rollback of federal diversity programs.
Benji Backer, who leads Nature Is Nonpartisan, helped develop the MABA concept. “It’s an honor to lead this nonpartisan initiative with the White House,” he said.
Not everyone is convinced. Environmental groups worry about what “cutting red tape” really means for protection of sensitive lands. Tom Kiernan of American Rivers offered cautious support: “The details of how this new policy is enacted will matter, and we want to see meaningful results.”
The order gives Americans preferential treatment for permits and access to popular sites. It also tells the Interior Department to review all rules that might limit recreation, especially those created during Biden’s presidency.
Trump’s approach represents a major shift in how America manages its public lands. While promising to preserve “natural beauty,” the focus clearly tilts toward human use and economic benefits rather than strict conservation.
The MABA Commission’s true impact will depend on how it balances increased access with the massive maintenance needs facing places like Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. With fewer staff and potentially less funding, the challenge is significant.
For everyday Americans planning their next outdoor adventure, the changes could mean easier access to permits and stable entrance fees. For international visitors, a trip to see Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon will soon cost more.
