Brian Bonville Conservation Tech with Watauga County Government

A hiker’s recent death along the Blue Ridge Parkway is raising new concerns about staffing shortfalls and public safety on one of the country’s most visited national park units. 40-year-old Jie Huang of Plymouth died last Friday. His death is renewing concerns about trail safety and staffing as visitation climbs and the National Park Service faces budget and personnel cuts. Brian Bonville formerly worked as a seasonal interpretive ranger in the Blue Ridge Parkway. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how a lack of workers in the area could put hikers in danger.