The Interior Department has recently drawn attention for issuing a memo that threatens to void America the Beautiful National Parks Passes with stickers on them. In response, artist Jenny McCarty has devised a creative workaround that continues to inspire civil disobedience among nature enthusiasts.
A few days before Christmas, McCarty hosted an unconventional holiday gathering at her home in Boulder, Colorado. Friends joined her to form an assembly line, packaging and shipping her National Parks-themed protest stickers. As they worked, they enjoyed fresh quesadillas and hot tea, contributing to an atmosphere that felt festive and communal. By the end of the gathering, McCarty and her friends had mailed out 1,000 stickers.
Previously reported in December, McCarty’s stickers emerged as a form of protest against the Trump Administration’s management of the National Park Service, particularly concerning staff reductions and budget cuts. The recent release of the design for the 2026 America the Beautiful National Parks Pass sparked renewed attention; one new design includes images of both George Washington and Donald Trump. A lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity has questioned the legality of this design, citing a federal law that requires pass images to be selected through a photo contest.
In response to the political imagery, McCarty created stickers that can be placed over the unappealing faces, turning the pass into a canvas that reflects the beauty of nature. Since launching her initiative, she has successfully sold nearly 7,000 stickers, contributing $16,000 to the National Parks Conservation Association to support the preservation of national parks.
However, McCarty’s artistic activism has not been without repercussions. The Interior Department’s memo stipulates that any alteration to a pass could lead to it being voided. The memo emphasizes that the presence of stickers could obscure crucial security features and important information on the passes. While the local National Park Service employees have some latitude in deciding whether to enforce this policy, it raises concerns among park visitors.
McCarty expressed her desire for transparency from the Department of the Interior about these guidelines, advocating for clearer communication to avoid confusion among park rangers and visitors. Despite the hurdles posed by the reported policy change, she remains undeterred. McCarty has shared a video on social media demonstrating how buyers can circumvent restrictions by placing the stickers partially over the pass or keeping the pass in a clear sleeve.
Her campaign continues unabated, with plans for more packing parties scheduled in the near future, drawing in friends and other supporters inspired by her cause. McCarty continues to offer her stickers on her business website, Sage Leaf Studios, emphasizing the strong community support for preserving the beauty of America’s national parks through art and activism.