AMERICA’S BEST IDEA

Former National Park Service Director David Vela Talks Parks, History, and Public Service on The Good Government Show

Just in time for Independence Day, The Good Government Show podcast welcomed a very special guest: David Vela, the former director of the National Park Service. In a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation with host Dave Martin, Vela reflected on his 38-year career in public service, his passion for preserving America’s natural and historic treasures, and why national parks remain, in his words, “America’s best idea.”

Vela, the first Latino to lead the National Park Service, began his journey as a teenage seasonal ranger and went on to oversee everything from Texas missions to the Grand Tetons. On the podcast, he shares remarkable stories—from living in the historic village at Appomattox Court House to managing 66 parks across the Caribbean and southern U.S. regions. He recounts moments of awe walking the same ground where Lee surrendered to Grant, and the pride of raising a family immersed in the values of service and conservation.

But the episode wasn’t just a celebration of past glories. Vela sounded the alarm on proposed budget cuts that could gut ranger-led programs, close park facilities, and compromise the preservation of the very landscapes that define the American experience. “You can’t protect these places on good intentions alone,” he warned. He and other former Park Service leaders recently signed a bipartisan letter urging Congress to rethink the cuts, emphasizing that both visitor services and resource protection are fundamental to the Park Service’s mission.

Still, Vela remains hopeful. He encouraged listeners to get involved—contact elected officials, visit parks, and support public service. “The parks are for everyone,” he said. “They tell the stories of all Americans.” The full conversation is available now on The Good Government Show podcast, streaming on all major platforms.