Area supporters gather at Effigy Mounds National Monument as part of nationwide effort ...

More than 100 people gathered at Effigy Mounds National Monument the morning of Saturday, March 1 to speak out in favor of federal employees and the lands they protect as part of a planned nationwide show of support for all 433 National Park sites across the United States. Due to recent actions through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), about five percent of National Park Service staff has been terminated nationwide, totaling approximately 1,000 employees thus far. In addition to mass firings at federal agencies across the country, the National Park Service is also facing budget cuts based on DOGE actions.

“Without adequate resources for protection, parks face impacts that can never be reversed. We need to preserve our national treasures for all generations to come,” said Pam Havlicek, whose daughter lost her seasonal ranger job at Yellowstone National Park.

Effigy Mounds has lost two employees due to the recent firings, a seasonal maintenance worker and an educational park ranger. The monument now has seven year-round employees. On average, Effigy Mounds hosts nearly 60,000 visitors annually and has an estimated economic output of more than $5 million.