US, April 28 -- For more than a century, the United States' national parks have stood as both sanctuary and symbol: vast, protected landscapes that helped define a nation's identity while anchoring a powerful tourism economy. Today, they are also becoming a focal point of political debate, as shifting federal priorities reshape how US National Parks are funded, managed, and understood.

At the center of the latest controversy is the National Park Service, the agency responsible for more than 400 sites spanning natural wonders, historic landmarks, and cultural institutions. Recent decisions by the administration of Donald Trump have raised questions about whether the system is entering a period of transformation - or strain.

A Legacy Root...