New billboards in Tucson defend Saguaro National Park

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - There have been a lot of different efforts across the region to speak out against cuts by the federal government.

A new campaign highlights some of those cuts to a big revenue generator for southern Arizona, and it’s in the shape of a billboard.

It is part of a national effort by More Perfect Union to bring awareness to the ways that the federal government cuts are impacting places that are right next door, but its installation came just a bit too late.

Just a few months ago, Saguaro National Park had to shut down visitor centers each Monday until further notice after employees were laid off.

But it didn’t last for long.

“Once those employees were reinstated, then the park was back open seven days a week to the normal operating hours,” Friends of Saguaro National Park executive director Fred Stula said.

Now, four billboards are scattered across the Tucson area that read “Greetings from Saguaro National Park.. reduced visiting hours… made possible by D.O.G.E.”

It is part of a much larger effort by More Perfect Union to get people fired up about some of the cuts.

In a statement to 13 News, the organization said, “Last year, over 330 million people visited a national park, a record number. This year, park goers will be met with reduced staff, longer wait times, and dirty or unsafe facilities.”

“It’s more about understanding the importance of national parks and making sure that they receive the funding and the support they need,” Stula said.

Stula said billboards are a great way to support the park that he says is crucial for the city.

“Saguaro National Park supports about $100 million for our local community, it supports a little under a thousand jobs and it’s not just jobs at the park service, but it’s people that work at the airport, work at our resorts, our restaurants, our stores, everything that happens here,” Stula said.

This comes as the Trump Administration released its budget plan for 2026, which would cut more than $1 billion to the National Park Service. That’s almost a third of the service’s current budget.

Be sure to subscribe to the 13 News YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@13newskold

Copyright 2025 13 News. All rights reserved.