Interior orders NPS gift shops to remove DEI merchandise by Dec. 19 under Order 3416
Interior Secretary’s Order 3416, issued in a Nov. 25 memo implementing a Trump-era executive order titled "Ending DEI Programs and Gender Ideology Extremism," directs National Park Service gift shops to remove merchandise promoting DEI and related gender-ideology content by a Dec. 19 compliance deadline. The order treats retail items as public-facing content subject to immediate removal if non-compliant, and Interior says the NPS is actively reviewing retail inventories—many of which are run by nonprofit partners—to keep parks focused on preserving resources for all Americans.
📌 Key Facts
- Interior Secretary’s Order 3416 is the implementing directive ordering a purge of bias-driven DEI and 'woke' merchandise from National Park Service (NPS) gift shops.
- An Interior memo dated Nov. 25 sets a compliance deadline of Dec. 19 for removal of non-compliant items.
- The action is tied to the broader Trump administration executive order titled 'Ending DEI Programs and Gender Ideology Extremism.'
- The Interior says retail items in park stores are considered 'public-facing content' subject to the order and must be removed immediately if they do not comply.
- An Interior spokesperson said the goal is to keep parks focused on preserving resources for all Americans and that non-compliant items are being removed.
- The NPS is actively reviewing retail inventories to enforce the order; many park shops are operated by nonprofit partner organizations, which could affect implementation.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2018, 41% of Hispanics reported visiting a National Park Service unit in the last two years, compared to 56% of Whites, while Hispanics comprise about 19% of the US population and Whites about 60%.
A nationwide assessment of awareness about US national parks — National Parks Traveler
Racial and ethnic disparities in national park visitation are influenced by socio-economic factors such as lower education levels, income, and transportation constraints among minority groups.
A nationwide assessment of awareness about US national parks — National Parks Traveler
Cultural norms, preferences for urban or developed facilities, and historical discrimination contribute to lower engagement with nature-based National Park Service units among minorities.
A nationwide assessment of awareness about US national parks — National Parks Traveler
Greater spatial distance to the nearest National Park Service units reduces awareness and visitation among populations, exacerbating disparities.
A nationwide assessment of awareness about US national parks — National Parks Traveler
People of color tend to have higher unemployment rates and lower income levels, leading to less disposable income for outdoor recreation trips, contributing to underrepresentation in national parks.
Nature Gap: Why Outdoor Spaces Lack Diversity and Inclusion — NC State University College of Natural Resources
📰 Sources (2)
- Identifies Interior Secretary’s Order 3416 as the implementing directive for the purge.
- Dates the Interior memo to Nov. 25 and reiterates the Dec. 19 compliance deadline.
- Names the Trump EO title: 'Ending DEI Programs and Gender Ideology Extremism.'
- Interior spokesperson quote: the goal is to keep parks focused on preserving resources for all Americans; non-compliant items are being removed.
- Clarifies that retail items are 'public-facing content' subject to the order and must be removed immediately if non-compliant.
- Notes NPS is actively reviewing retail inventories; many shops are run by nonprofit partners.