What would happen to America's cherished national parks and monuments if there were no park rangers and staff to look after them?
During this partial government shutdown, we’re learning the answer to that question and it isn’t pretty.
At Joshua Tree National Park, trees have been cut down, rocks have been vandalized and trash is piling up.
Local resident Rand Abbott, a paraplegic rock climber and marine veteran, has been voluntarily leading clean-up efforts at the park. He's cleaned bathrooms, picked up trash and documented damage done to his beloved park.
While some park employees are back, Abbott said he worries about the long-term environmental impacts of the shutdown.
Abbott joins Midday Edition Wednesday to talk about how Joshua Tree National Park has been affected by the shutdown.
