National parks pick up the pieces after month-long shutdown

Gina Ferazzi/Los Ange​les Times/POLARIS/Eyevine

By Sam Wong

National parks in the US are dealing with vandalism, pollution and administration backlogs caused by the federal government shutdown.

A short-term agreement has reopened the federal government until 15 February, but the 35-day lapse in funding has taken a toll on parks around the country.

“Now is when the real work begins. The damage done to our parks will be felt for weeks, months or even years,” said Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association, …