• People are cutting down trees in Joshua Tree National Park.
  • They are doing so to forge new paths in areas that are typically restricted, according to National Parks Traveler.
  • The park has faced vandalism and sanitation problems during the government shutdown.
  • On Tuesday, the park said it would have to close Thursday. But park rangers announced on Wednesday they would keep the park open by utilizing rectreation revenue.

As the government shutdown continues into 2019, national parks are among the places most affected, with garbage, sanitation issues, and vandalism issues becoming pervasive because of minimal staffing.

Joshua Tree National Park has plenty vandalism and sanitation problems of its own, according to a press release from Joshua Tree park ranger George Land.

One problem plaguing the California park that has caused concern online is that people have been cutting down the park’s namesake Joshua trees to forge paths to visit restricted areas, according to National Parks Traveler, a site that is independent from the government.

“While the vast majority of those who visit Joshua Tree National Park do so in a responsible manner, there have been incidents of new roads being created by motorists and the destruction of Joshua trees in recent days that have precipitated the closure,” the Joshua Tree press release said. “Law enforcement rangers will continue to patrol the park and enforce the closure until park staff complete the necessary cleanup and park protection measures.”

Online, people are sharing pictures of the snapped trees, which typically grow to be between 20 to 40 feet tall.

"During the shutdown, with Joshua Tree National Park open but no staff on duty, visitors cut down Joshua trees so they could drive into sensitive areas where vehicles are banned," John Upton, features journalist for Climate Central, tweeted.

https://twitter.com/ai6yrham/status/1083386123332636673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/BiologistDan/status/1083516024639709190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Read more: The government shutdown is in a record-tying 21st day and the fight between Trump and Democrats is only getting uglier. Here's everything you missed.

On Tuesday, park rangers said Joshua Tree National Park would close beginning on Thursday because of the shutdown. But on Wednesday, it was announced that it would remain open by utilizing park revenue.

"The park expresses its appreciation for the contributions of local volunteers, who provided basic sanitation at campgrounds and other closed areas during the lapse in appropriations," the press release said. "Their efforts have contributed significantly to the reopening of campgrounds and restoring access to other closed areas of Joshua Tree National Park."