In a move that screams 'summer's coming,' Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum trooped over to Mammoth Cave National Park earlier this week. The Secretary wasn't just there to marvel at stalactites, though. During his Kentucky layover, he underscored the park's importance, both geologically and culturally, and didn't miss the chance to affirm his department's mission: keeping those national park gates wide open for the seasonal rush.
Joined by local Congressman Brett Guthrie, who represents Kentucky's 2nd Congressional District, Burgum went spelunking through some of Mammoth Cave's most iconic spots. The Historic Entrance, the Rotunda, and the Methodist Church were on the Secretary's subterranean itinerary. And while hoping to soak in some natural beauty, they were there on business, talking shop with Barclay Trimble, the park's superintendent, and his team. According to the Department of the Interior, the group discussed park significance and dived into the nitty-gritty of current projects aimed at enhancing visitor experience.
The timing of Burgum's visit was no coincidence, aligning with National Park Week, a yearly celebration encouraging folks to connect with their national parks. The Secretary's agenda is clear: the Department of the Interior is all in on accessibility. And with peak visitor season on the horizon, they're taking no chances.
Mammoth Cave National Park doesn't just boast a network of over 400 miles of surveyed passageways; it's a veritable rabbit hole of natural history, waiting to be explored. Burgum's visit, making the rounds during National Park Week, is basically a clarion call to nature lovers and casual tourists alike: come one, come all, and come prepared to be wowed. Mammoth Cave has been ready for you since time immemorial and, if the Secretary has anything to say about it, will remain so for many summers to come.
