On a recent family trip to hike Acadia National Park’s trails with my 6- and 11-year-old, I was reminded again how fortunate we are to enjoy the incredible rocky upland coast of places like Acadia and the low-lying coast from Kittery to Cape Elizabeth. I’m referring to Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, which protects nearly 6,000 acres of estuary salt marsh and adjacent lands and waters in southern Maine.

The refuge protects special habitats including barrier beach, dune, tidal estuary, salt marsh and rocky coastline. Rachel Carson Refuge was created to preserve estuaries that are key points along migration routes of waterfowl and other migratory birds and supports protected animal species.

But the National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is at a breaking point. Next year’s federal budget proposes to cut the service’s funding by 22%. This is devastating to Americans who value preserved lands and who enjoy them to fish, hunt, roam, spend time on water and enjoy nature’s beauty. The system has already endured a 30% staffing reduction over the past several years and has lost an additional 25% since January. Some public lands around the country are without staff as a result. The federal budget reconciliation bill just passed by Congress slashes resources even further. Soon, there may be no one to maintain walking trails, work at visitor centers, clean beaches and protect bird nesting sites.

What are we doing to ourselves?

As a scientist, I have always tried to teach my children the importance of habitats to all creatures, from humans to bacteria and fungi that live symbiotically with us. With the pressures of development and natural habitat loss in our communities, now is the time we really must push to protect the lands and waters left for us.

But continuous federal budget cuts over the past few years make me wonder if our nation no longer values protection of these critical natural spaces. Or perhaps our elected representatives aren’t listening? This is an emergency, because we need time spent in nature more than ever. Conservation of lands and waters is about protecting the environment, but as I hiked with my children I realized how important it is for also protecting our mental health. Scientific evidence is mounting that overuse of electronic devices and lack of exposure to the natural world is causing increased rates of ADHD, depression and social isolation, especially for children.

Nature can be more effective than medication. Research has shown that nature walks often benefit our brains more than antidepressants. A large number of scientific studies have highlighted how natural ecosystems improve mental health, activate the parasympathetic nervous system and help filter out the “noise” in our lives. Even 20 minutes a few times a week yields benefits, lowering blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol. I saw how my children’s and husband’s countenance changed as we spent hours connecting with nature on the trails of Acadia, and during all our time in the Rachel Carson Refuge.

People are starving for time in the great outdoors. National lands visitation has skyrocketed over the last few years. At the same time, staffing shortages and budget cuts have strained the resources vital to maintain these lands and waters and keep them open for visitors. This all raises questions about the long-term sustainability of record-breaking attendance, and now there is the looming threat of privatization of protected lands.

“Public lands” may not be available to the public. We are literally at risk of losing access to these cherished environments at a time when we need it most.

Let’s all make our voices heard. Please call our senators and representatives and demand they protect these critical environments and continue America’s unique tradition of wildlife conservation. Because it’s right. And because it’s good for us.

Rachel Carson’s words stay with me: “The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.”