PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — New artwork work on Graffiti Bridge in Pensacola is drawing consideration to a nationwide motion.
“That is a part of a nationwide motion to carry consciousness about what’s taking place to our Nationwide Parks and public lands and type of stand in solidarity with these public lands and the workers who have been wrongfully terminated,” Philip Iversen mentioned.
Philip Iversen is a former organic science technician at Gulf Islands Nationwide Seashore. He obtained an e-mail alerting him of his termination final month.
Iverson, who volunteered on the park earlier than interning and finally working on the park, mentioned the e-mail acknowledged he was unqualified and unfit to do his job, and never performing as he needs to be. He mentioned his worker assessments mentioned in any other case.
“It’s actually simply type of a kick within the intestine after working all this time doing every part I used to be advised was the suitable factor,” Iversen mentioned.
Iversen is one in every of about about 1,000 Nationwide Park Service staff terminated as a part of the Trump administration’s effort to chop federal spending.
In line with the Nationwide Park Service, greater than 20,000 Nationwide Park Service staff take care of America’s 431 nationwide parks, working to assist protect native historical past and create leisure alternatives.
“I believe that the federal government does have to be in the reduction of there was extreme spending and that type of factor, however I really feel like there are methods to try this with out compromising our morals and particularly compromising one thing just like the nationwide parks and public lands,” Iversen mentioned.
As a part of the artwork on Graffiti Bridge, indicators are painted asking for individuals to talk out to their representatives and to donate to the Nationwide Parks Conservation Affiliation.
As Iverson searches for a brand new job, he mentioned he’ll proceed to volunteer on the park and hopes to see individuals proceed to face up for our Nationwide Parks.
“I hope that individuals exit to the parks this summer season. I actually do. I hope they exit and help the rangers are nonetheless there and help these pure, historic and cultural sources that we have now as a result of they’re so necessary to what it’s to be an American,” Iversen mentioned.
