An artist from Colorado has created a unique response to recent changes in the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. Jenny McCarty, a passionate national parks advocate, has begun offering stickers designed to cover the face of U.S. President Donald Trump, which was included in a new pass design. This artistic initiative blends her love for nature and her frustration with political decisions impacting national parks.
McCarty’s Creative Protest
Jenny McCarty, 34, lives in Boulder, Colorado, where she works in water resource management while running her own art business. With a deep appreciation for the National Park Service (NPS), McCarty decided to express her discontent when the Department of the Interior unveiled the new pass design featuring Trump’s likeness alongside George Washington.
Background of the Controversy
In late November 2025, the new design of the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass sparked significant outrage. Critics argue that the Trump Administration has harmed the NPS through budget cuts and staff reductions. This backlash was further intensified by a lawsuit from an environmental group, the Center for Biological Diversity, contending that the design violates federal law related to the pass’s imagery.
Sticker Designs Inspired by Nature
In response to the controversy, McCarty recorded herself placing a sticker of her artwork over Trump’s image on the pass. Inspired by the positive feedback from her followers, she designed three different stickers that can cover Trump’s face and George Washington’s likeness. Each sticker features one of her paintings:
- A grizzly bear at Denali
- A wolf howling in front of the Grand Tetons
- A Pika in Rocky Mountain National Park
These stickers are made to fit perfectly over the existing images, maintaining the pass’s functionality while transforming its appearance. Each sticker also accommodates the pass’s classification indicator for residents or military personnel.
Sales and Community Engagement
Since launching her stickers through her art website, Sage Leaf Studio, McCarty has experienced a surge in orders. As of December 15, she had received 650 orders and priced the stickers at $6 each. Impressively, all profits are being donated to the National Parks Conservation Association and the National Park Foundation.
Future Plans and Impact
Despite the controversy, McCarty has yet to receive any communication from the National Park Service or the Department of the Interior regarding her stickers. She plans to continue selling them as long as they are in demand. For McCarty, this project is not just about profit, but about resonating with fellow national park enthusiasts.
“It was a gut feeling that there could be momentum behind this sentiment,” she noted, emphasizing the emotional connection her project has fostered within the community.
