2016 marked the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. But behind all the celebrations, darker stories about national parks emerged from within their ranks.
Government and press investigations of sexual harassment, discrimination, and assault surfaced about parks throughout the agency, including at Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone.
High Country News, a bi-weekly magazine that covers issues in the West, released a year-long investigation of the Park Service in its December 12th edition, titled “How the National Park Service is failing women.”Through tips from current and former employees, Freedom of Information Act requests, and over 50 interviews, High Country News editorial fellow Lyndsey Gilpin’s article uncovered a systemic pattern of discrimination, sexual assault, and poor reporting and disciplinary procedures throughout the Park Service.
KSJD's Austin Cope talked with Gilpin to learn more about what she uncovered during her reporting.
