Yosemite feels the burn of an understaffed summer
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PEER | August 26, 2025
At the same time, law enforcement ranks for all parks have been in precipitous decline. Since 2010, the number of park law enforcement positions has fallen by 48 percent, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a nonprofit watchdog group. Read the PEER Story… ...
#43 – Protecting Whistleblowers and Public Employees w/ Tim Whitehouse
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PEER | August 25, 2025
In this episode, I interview Tim Whitehouse, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Tim discusses PEER’s unique mission in representing public employees, particularly whistleblowers. Our conversation touches on the challenges faced by public ...
Yosemite Biologist Fired After Hanging Transgender Pride Flag From El Capitan
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PEER | August 21, 2025
Joanna Citron Day, general counsel at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a legal assistance group that plans to assist Joslin in pursuing reinstatement to their position, said Joslin’s firing was arbitrary and “politically motivated.” “SJ got fired for exercising ...
Advocates push for phasing out lead ammo as states advance voluntary approaches
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PEER | August 20, 2025
Leslie now serves on the executive council of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. Along with the nonprofit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the group is asking Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to phase out lead ammo and fishing tackle on state lands. In ...
Ranger fired for hanging transgender flag in Yosemite and park visitors may face prosecution
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PEER |
Joslin said a group of seven climbers including two other park rangers hung the flag. The other rangers are on administrative leave pending an investigation, Joslin said. Flags have long been flown from El Capitan without consequences, said Joanna Citron Day, a former federal attorney who ...
Are turf fields safe to play on? Critics have PFAS, heat and injury-related concerns
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PEER | August 14, 2025
Advocates say the fields help reduce maintenance costs, are more durable and lend themselves to year-round use. Critics, though, say turf fields are dangerous to play on. “My personal belief is that there’s never a good reason to use artificial turf,” said Kyla Bennett, the director ...