Save Our Public Lands

Just one day after returning from the November election, a congressional committee held a hearing to discuss transferring all power for oil and gas drilling on federal public lands to the states. Two days later, some in Congress began a public discussion about overturning long-protected national monuments like Grand Staircase Escalante – undermining Presidential designations through the 110-year-old Antiquities Act. Clearly, the challenge to our public lands is underway once again.

Every time our public lands have come under attack, the people have fought back. When President Reagan's Interior Department wanted to sell off our public lands, the people said "NO." When the George W. Bush administration threatened to eliminate national monuments, nearby communities made it clear these public assets were important. Last year, when the Land and Water Conservation Fund was in jeopardy, the people said "renew it!"

Americans' commitment to public lands hasn't changed with the new administration. In fact, on November 8, while voters elected Mr. Trump, they also approved more than $6 billion for parks and conservation.

Protecting our public lands isn't a partisan issue, it's an American one. We need to make sure the tools to protect it – the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Antiquities Act – remain in place. Tell the new administration and your representatives to support programs that protect our public lands for the people.