Hey everybody, welcome back to Meteorology Matters.
It's great to have you with us as always.
Glad to be here.
So today we're diving into something really interesting
that y'all have sent us a bunch of articles about recently.
And it seems like it's kind of making a comeback.
And that's the Alt National Park Service.
The Alt NPS.
Yeah, so to help us kind of unpack all this
and connect the dots, we have an expert here with us
who's really good at kind of seeing the big picture.
Well, thank you, it's a fascinating topic.
It is. So these articles point out
that this whole Alt NPS thing first kind of popped up in 2017
as a reaction to the Trump administration's
attempts to control the narrative
and like the flow of information,
especially when it came to climate change.
Right, yeah, particularly around climate change,
there was a lot of pushback during that administration
around the communication of science.
Right, and it's interesting because now in 2025,
it's like we're seeing kind of a resurgence
of that same kind of energy.
You know, it's like history repeating itself in a way.
Exactly, it seems like every time there's a perceived threat
to the environment or to scientific integrity,
these citizen led movements emerge as a form of resistance.
Yeah, and you know, one of the things
that really stood out to me in these articles
was the Badlands National Park incident back in 2017.
Oh yeah, that was a pivotal moment.
You know, when the park's official account
tweeted about climate change facts
and then the tweets were just like deleted.
Yeah, it was a really blatant attempt
to censor information and it really sparked this wave
of unofficial rogue accounts popping up to fill the void.
And that's where the Alt NPS Twitter account
kind of came onto the scene, right?
Exactly, at Alt Net Park, sir,
which is what it was called at the time,
it just exploded in popularity and became a voice
for people who were concerned about the environment
and wanted to stay informed.
And I think a lot of people just assumed
that it was park rangers running that account.
Right, there was this widespread belief
that it was park employees who were sort of going rogue
and speaking out against the administration.
But it wasn't.
One of the articles we were sent includes
this really interesting interview
with one of the creators of the account.
Oh, wow.
And it turns out it was actually this group
of international activists and journalists
who were behind it.
Really?
Yeah, they were really worried about the implications
of the Trump administration's policies on the environment.
So they decided to create this platform
to share information and mobilize people.
That's wild.
And they were anonymous, right, for obvious reasons.
Right, they were afraid of repercussions
if their identities were revealed.
And they actually talked in the interview
about these internal debates they had
about how to operate the account.
Should they stay completely impartial
or should they take a more politically active stance?
I can only imagine how tough those conversations must have been.
Oh, absolutely.
They were walking this tightrope
trying to be a source of credible information
while also navigating the very real risks associated
with speaking out against a powerful administration.
And eventually, they ended up handing the account over,
didn't they?
Yeah, they changed the handle to at Notal World.
And then there was another account
that kind of took over called at LLTUSNPS,
which was raising money for the National Park Service.
Right, and even that account claimed
to be supporting the parks,
but it wasn't actually run by park employees either.
Exactly, it was all very murky.
And there was a lot of concern at the time
about these rogue accounts potentially
misleading the public,
especially since they had such large following.
It was the wild west of social media activism.
It really was, and now here we are in 2025,
and the all NPS is back this time, mainly on Facebook.
And they're still all about protecting the environment,
but their focus seems to have shifted a bit.
Right now they're directly criticizing
the actions of the second Trump administration,
which, I mean, it makes sense.
I mean, they've been pretty active
since the inauguration back in January.
Yeah.
Absolutely, and I think it's a really interesting evolution.
They're still pushing back against perceived threats
to the environment, but the context has changed.
They're calling out specific actions by the administration,
everything from dismantling US side
to pressuring federal employees to resign.
Yeah, let's actually take a look
at some of their Facebook posts,
because some of them are pretty eye-opening.
Their page is just full of examples
of what they see as the administration crossing the line.
What kind of examples are we talking about?
Well, like this one about Elon Musk's staffers
being present at US side
and having access to sensitive data.
Okay, that's definitely something worth digging into.
What's the Alton PS's take on that situation?
They're basically raising concerns about transparency
and potential conflicts of interest.
You know, US side eyes are now barred
from any external communication.
Key operations are frozen and these Musk staffers
are just kind of there in the midst of it all.
And this is all happening under the guise of efficiency, right?
Right, they claim they're just trying
to streamline things and cut costs,
but the Alton PS is painting a very different picture.
It sounds like they're suggesting
that there's a deeper agenda at play,
perhaps an attempt to control the narrative
around USAID's work or even to undermine its mission.
Exactly, and then there's this other post
about pressure on federal employees.
The Alton PS is claiming that employees
are being forced to resign or face termination,
which I mean, that sounds pretty drastic.
That does sound concerning,
especially in light of what we've been talking about
with the suppression of dissent within the government.
Right, and if you connect that
to the broader political landscape,
it raises some pretty big questions
about the administration's motives.
Like, are these actions truly about efficiency
as they claim or is there something else going on?
Exactly, are they trying to silence
dissenting voices within the government itself?
Are they trying to stack these agencies
with people who are loyal to the administration?
It's hard to say for sure,
but the Alton PS is definitely raising some valid concerns.
And it's not just limited to individual agencies either.
They're also calling out executive orders
that seem to target diversity and inclusion programs,
and they even mention efforts
to reshape the science advisory panels at the EPA.
Wow, so it's like they're connecting
all these seemingly separate actions
and suggesting a pattern, a coordinated effort
to dismantle these safeguards.
Exactly, they're creating this narrative
of a systemic effort to undermine
established institutions and policies
related to both environmental protection
and social justice.
That's a powerful narrative,
and it's no wonder it's resonating with so many people.
It's definitely a lot to process,
and it raises some important questions
about the role of government transparency
and the power dynamics at play,
but it's also incredibly engaging.
I can totally see why this movement
is connecting with people.
What stands out to you the most from all of this?
What do you find the most striking
about the Alton PS's claims?
Honestly, it's the level of detail they're providing.
It's not just vague accusations.
They're giving specific dates, times,
names of individuals, they're even citing legal statutes.
That's a great point.
They're really positioning themselves
as a credible source of information.
They're doing their research and presenting their findings
in a way that's both compelling and informative.
And it's clearly working.
The public is definitely paying attention.
The comments on their Facebook posts
are full of people expressing outrage,
demanding answers, thanking the Alton PS
for speaking out the round.
They're sharing their own experiences,
contacting their representatives,
even organizing protests.
It really shows you how powerful social media can be,
not just as a way to spread information,
but as a tool for collective action.
Absolutely.
It's a space where shared outrage can be voiced,
where people who feel unheard
or ignored by traditional power structures
can find a sense of solidarity and connection.
And that can be a really powerful force for change.
You know, before we move on from that,
I think it's really important to remember
that we're talking about real people here.
You know, people whose lives and careers
are being impacted by all of this,
like the anxiety and fear that federal employees
are experiencing right now is something
that we shouldn't overlook.
That's a really good point.
And these articles, you know, they
paid a pretty disturbing picture of what's
happening inside these agencies.
There's this one from The Verge that talks about federal workers
feeling scared and betrayed.
And they describe this like atmosphere of paranoia,
constant vigilance, and just a breakdown in communication.
It's like the sense of being trapped, you know.
Yeah.
Caught between this rock and a hard place.
They're deeply committed to public service
and the missions of their agencies.
But they're also facing these threats to their jobs,
their reputations, even their personal safety.
And it goes beyond just job security.
You know, the Alton PS and these articles
are highlighting how the Trump administration's actions
are really fostering this like hostile work environment,
especially for those who are perceived as not aligning
with the administration's political views.
It's this climate of fear and intimidation
where people are afraid to speak out for fear of retaliation.
And we're seeing reports of employees
being pressured to resign, facing retaliation for speaking out,
and even being subjected to like loyalty tests or investigations
based on their perceived political beliefs.
It's a really worrying trend because it undermines
the whole foundation of a nonpartisan civil service.
It's like that flood the zone strategy
is playing out on a personal level.
Like employees are just bombarded with executive orders,
policy changes, conflicting information.
And it's like they don't know what to do or who to trust.
Right.
It creates the sense of helplessness and demoralization
because the rules can change at any moment.
And speaking out can have serious consequences.
The Verge article even mentions that some employees
are resorting to using like encrypted messaging apps
like Signal for work-related conversations
because they're afraid that their communications
on other platforms could be monitored or leaked.
That's really telling.
It speaks to the level of distrust
that's permeated these agencies.
They no longer feel safe communicating openly,
even with their colleagues.
It's a stark reminder of how quickly things can unravel
when you have this erosion of democratic norms
and trust in institutions starts to crumble.
Right.
It's not just about politics.
It's about the very fabric of our society
and the values that underpin a functioning democracy.
And the repercussions, they reach far beyond just
the individuals who are directly affected.
Right?
Of course.
Like a demoralized and depleted federal workforce
ultimately hampers the government's ability
to effectively serve the public and fulfill
its essential functions.
Yeah, there's a ripple effect.
Right.
So the fear, the uncertainty, the loss of experience
personnel, it all contributes to this declining morale
and a sense of paralysis within these agencies.
And that paralysis can have a huge impact
on everything from environmental protection
and scientific research to public health and safety.
Absolutely.
And when you have dedicated public servants who
are being driven out or silenced,
it's the American people who ultimately suffer
the consequences.
So what can be done to address this crisis?
Like how do we support the federal workforce?
Where do we go from here?
That's the million dollar question, isn't it?
It is.
I don't think there are any easy answers.
Right.
But I think it's going to require this multifaceted approach
that involves legal challenges, legislative action,
public awareness campaigns, and even
individual acts of courage and solidarity.
We need to hold those in power accountable for their actions.
Protect whistleblowers.
Reaffirm the importance of a nonpartisan civil service
free from political interference and intimidation.
It's a fight that demands the participation of everyone
who values a functional democracy and a government that
serves the needs of its people, not just the interests
of a powerful few.
You know, this deep dive into the Alt National Park Service,
it's really taken us on a journey.
It has.
From climate change denial and citizen resistance
to the very heart of the federal government.
Yeah, it's been fascinating.
Yeah.
And at times, quite unsettling.
And this journey is far from over.
No, it's not.
You know, these events that we've been talking about,
they're still unfolding.
Right.
They're full impact.
Yeah.
You know, remains to be seen.
But one thing's for sure.
Yeah.
The fight for environmental protection,
government accountability, and really the very soul
of our democracy, it requires our attention, our engagement,
our unwavering commitment.
It does.
And if you're feeling overwhelmed or discouraged
by all of this, remember that you're not alone.
Yeah.
Millions of people share these concerns
and are working to make a difference, connect with them,
get involved, stay informed.
We can make a difference if we work together.
Absolutely.
OK, so we've been talking a lot about the Alt National Park
Service.
Yeah.
You know, there were resurgence in 2025
and how they're really calling out the Trump
administration and this group called DOGE.
But before we wrap up, I want to kind of shift gears
a little bit and focus on the human side of all this.
Yeah.
I think that's really important.
You know, we've been talking about these big picture issues
and these political maneuvers.
But at the end of the day, this is affecting real people.
Exactly.
And we have these articles that really shine
a light on what's happening inside these agencies.
You know, there's this one from The Verge that talks about
federal workers feeling scared and betrayed.
And they describe this atmosphere of paranoia,
you know, constant vigilance, just this breakdown
in communication.
It's like they're living in a constant state of anxiety.
Yeah.
And they feel trapped.
You know, like they're caught between a rock and a hard place.
Because on the one hand, they're deeply committed
to public service and the missions of their agencies.
But on the other hand, they're facing these very real threats
to their jobs, their reputations,
even their personal safety.
And it's not just about job security either.
It's about this hostile work environment
that's been created where people are afraid to speak out
for fear of retaliation.
Yeah.
We're seeing reports of employees being pressured to resign.
You know, facing retaliation for speaking out,
even being subjected to loyalty tests or investigations
based on their perceived political beliefs.
It's really disheartening.
Because it undermines the whole idea
of a nonpartisan civil service, you know,
where people can serve their country
without fear of political reprisal.
It's like that flood the zone strategy
that we talked about earlier.
It's playing out on a personal level.
You know, these employees are just bombarded
with executive orders, policy changes,
conflicting information.
And it's like they're just drowning in it all.
It's no wonder they feel helpless and demoralized.
Because the rules can change on a dime.
And speaking out can have serious consequences.
The Verge article even mentions that some employees
are resorting to using encrypted messaging apps,
like signal for work-related conversations.
Because they're so afraid that their communications
on other platforms could be monitored or leaked.
Wow.
That really speaks to the level of distrust
that exists within these agencies.
You know, they don't even feel safe communicating
with their colleagues.
It's a pretty stark reminder of how quickly things can unravel
when you have this erosion of democratic norms
and trust in institutions starts to crumble.
And it's not just about politics.
You know, it's about the very fabric of our society
and the values that underpin a functioning democracy.
And the repercussions of all this,
they extend far beyond just the individuals
who are directly affected.
Of course.
Now, when you have a demoralized and depleted
federal workforce, it ultimately hampers
the government's ability to effectively serve the public
and fulfill its essential functions.
Yeah, there's this ripple effect, you know,
the fear, the uncertainty, the loss of experienced personnel.
It all contributes to declining morale
and the sense of paralysis within these agencies.
And that paralysis can have a huge impact
on everything from environmental protection
and scientific research to public health and safety.
Right, because when you have dedicated public servants who
are being driven out or silenced,
it's the American people who ultimately pay the price.
So what can be done?
Yeah.
How do we address this crisis?
How do we support the federal workforce?
Where do we go from here?
That's a tough question, and I don't
think there are any easy answers.
But I think it's going to require a multifaceted approach,
you know, involving legal challenges,
legislative action, public awareness campaigns,
and even individual acts of courage and solidarity.
I think you're right.
You know, we need to hold those in power
accountable for their actions.
We need to protect whistleblowers.
Yeah.
And we need to reaffirm the importance
of a nonpartisan civil service free
from political interference and intimidation.
It's a fight that requires the participation of everyone
who values a functional democracy and a government that
serves the needs of its people, not just
the interests of the powerful.
Well said.
Yeah.
You know, this deep dive into the old National Park service,
it's really taken us on quite a journey.
It has.
From climate change denial and citizen resistance
to the very heart of the federal government,
it's been fascinating and at times pretty unsettling.
It's an ongoing story, and the full impact of these events
remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear.
The fight for environmental protection,
government accountability, and really the very
soul of our democracy.
It requires our attention.
It requires our engagement.
And it requires our unwavering commitment.
And for anyone listening out there who's feeling overwhelmed
or discouraged by all of this, just remember,
you're not alone.
Millions of people share these concerns,
and they're working to make a difference.
So connect with them, get involved, stay informed.
We can make a difference if we work together.
And if you're looking for more information on the connection
between climate change and political action,
I highly recommend following meteorologist Rob Jones
on social media.
He's a great resource for staying up to date on these issues.
It's a great suggestion.
Thanks for joining us for this episode of Meteorology Matters.
We'll see you next time.