The Trump Administration Is Recklessly Axing Funding and Staff for America’s National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands ArticleJuly 1, 2025 The Trump Administration Is Recklessly Axing Funding and Staff for America’s National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands The number of visitors to America’s public lands remains at an all-time high, while the Trump administration has made drastic cuts to popular agencies. Jul 1, 2025 Sam Zeno, Jenny Rowland-Shea
What To Know About the Senate’s Public Lands Sell-Off ArticleJune 18, 2025 What To Know About the Senate’s Public Lands Sell-Off Jun 18, 2025 Drew McConville
8 Ways Special Interests Are Asking President-Elect Trump To Sell Out U.S. Public Lands ReportJanuary 16, 2025 8 Ways Special Interests Are Asking President-Elect Trump To Sell Out U.S. Public Lands Jan 16, 2025 Drew McConville, Jenny Rowland-Shea
Clean Drinking Water for Millions of People at Risk as Trump Administration Targets National Monuments ReportDecember 4, 2025 Clean Drinking Water for Millions of People at Risk as Trump Administration Targets National Monuments New analysis highlights the extensive risk to U.S. rivers, streams, and drinking water supplies posed by the Trump administration’s threats to eliminate protected national monuments. Dec 4, 2025 Sophie Conroy, Drew McConville
The Shutdown’s Impacts on National Parks and Public Lands Offer a Preview of Trump’s Long-Term Vision ArticleOctober 28, 2025 The Shutdown’s Impacts on National Parks and Public Lands Offer a Preview of Trump’s Long-Term Vision Before and during the government shutdown, the Trump administration has pushed an agenda to sell out America’s public lands for drilling and mining while gutting the funding, staff, and policies necessary to steward those lands for future generations. Oct 28, 2025 Drew McConville
The Trump Administration Is Erasing American History Told by Public Lands and Waters ArticleOctober 23, 2025 The Trump Administration Is Erasing American History Told by Public Lands and Waters Through a series of executive orders targeting place names, signage on, and access to public lands and waters, the Trump administration is erasing important chapters of American history. Oct 23, 2025 Angelo Villagomez, Sam Zeno, Gianna Sala
How the Government Shutdown Affects Public Land Employees and Communities ArticleOctober 15, 2025 How the Government Shutdown Affects Public Land Employees and Communities Bipartisan efforts saved public lands from being sold off. Can Congress work together again so that furloughed public land employees in the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service are not fired? Oct 15, 2025 Mark Haggerty
Shelby Semmes and Drew McConville: How Vermonters can lead as Washington backslides on conservation In the NewsSeptember 24, 2025 Shelby Semmes and Drew McConville: How Vermonters can lead as Washington backslides on conservation Shelby Semmes and Drew McConville write in VTDigger about how Vermont can take the lead on conservation. Sep 24, 2025 VTDigger Shelby Semmes, Drew McConville
The Trump Administration’s Expansive Push to Sell Out Public Lands to the Highest Bidder ReportSeptember 22, 2025 The Trump Administration’s Expansive Push to Sell Out Public Lands to the Highest Bidder After bipartisan opposition forced Senate Republicans to remove language from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would have sold off public lands, the Trump administration is still moving forward with proposals to transfer control over tens of millions of acres of public land to the oil and gas, mining, and timber industries. Sep 22, 2025 Drew McConville, Mariel Lutz, Jenny Rowland-Shea
Congressional Republicans’ Big Shift on Public Land Payments to Counties ArticleAugust 21, 2025 Congressional Republicans’ Big Shift on Public Land Payments to Counties While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act may have stopped short of selling off public lands, it did end some public land payments that rural communities have relied on since 1908—diverting those funds to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. Aug 21, 2025 Mark Haggerty, Jenny Rowland-Shea
Counterpoint: America Needs Affordable Energy; Coal Doesn’t Fit the Bill In the NewsAugust 7, 2025 Counterpoint: America Needs Affordable Energy; Coal Doesn’t Fit the Bill In an op-ed published by Inside Sources, Jenny Rowland-Shea explains that President Trump's efforts to revive the dying coal industry will cost the United States time and money we cannot afford to waste. Aug 7, 2025 Inside Sources Jenny Rowland-Shea
The Implementation Timeline of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ArticleJuly 29, 2025 The Implementation Timeline of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act An overview of when the cuts to basic needs programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and student loans and other provisions in the Republicans’ OBBBA go into effect. Jul 29, 2025 Kennedy Andara, Corey Husak, Sara Partridge, 6 More Madison Weiss, Akshay Thyagarajan, Lucero Marquez, Natasha Murphy, Brian Keyser, Kyle Ross
The Trump Administration Is Recklessly Axing Funding and Staff for America’s National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands ArticleJuly 1, 2025 The Trump Administration Is Recklessly Axing Funding and Staff for America’s National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands The number of visitors to America’s public lands remains at an all-time high, while the Trump administration has made drastic cuts to popular agencies. Jul 1, 2025 Sam Zeno, Jenny Rowland-Shea
8 Ways the Senate Budget Bill Is More Extreme Than the House-Passed Big, ‘Beautiful’ Bill ArticleJune 24, 2025 8 Ways the Senate Budget Bill Is More Extreme Than the House-Passed Big, ‘Beautiful’ Bill Many have assumed that the House of Representatives’ One Big, Beautiful Bill Act would be moderated by Senate counterparts. However, the Senate’s proposed cuts to health care and food assistance—along with the potential sell-off of public lands and changes to make it easier to buy guns—are more extreme. Jun 24, 2025 Lily Roberts, Natasha Murphy, Kyle Ross, 2 More Drew McConville, Nick Wilson
What To Know About the Senate’s Public Lands Sell-Off ArticleJune 18, 2025 What To Know About the Senate’s Public Lands Sell-Off Among other damaging proposals, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes a controversial plan to sell off public lands to pay for billionaire tax breaks. Jun 18, 2025 Drew McConville
See Them While You Can: Trump’s Policies Threaten America’s National Parks and Public Lands ArticleMay 28, 2025 See Them While You Can: Trump’s Policies Threaten America’s National Parks and Public Lands By selling out national parks and other public lands, the Trump administration is endangering some of America’s great travel destinations. May 28, 2025 Sam Zeno, Drew McConville
Congress’ Tax Bill Is Selling Out America’s Public Lands and Waters ArticleMay 6, 2025 Congress’ Tax Bill Is Selling Out America’s Public Lands and Waters The tax bill would now include the largest sellout of public lands by Congress in modern U.S. history. May 6, 2025 Jenny Rowland-Shea, Drew McConville
A reckless sale of public lands won’t solve the housing crisis ArticleMay 2, 2025 A reckless sale of public lands won’t solve the housing crisis In an op-ed published by The Hill, Drew McConville explains why selling off our public lands is a slippery slope and a poor answer to the housing crisis. May 2, 2025 The Hill Drew McConville
Inside Trump’s Plan to Sell Out America’s Public Lands to Mining ReportMay 1, 2025 Inside Trump’s Plan to Sell Out America’s Public Lands to Mining President Trump’s “mine everywhere” executive order calls for a list of national public lands with potential mineral deposits and the prioritization of mining on those lands—a move that would cut off access to some of America’s most iconic places. May 1, 2025 Sam Zeno, Jenny Rowland-Shea
Will the U.S. Housing Crisis Be Exploited for a Massive Public Lands Sell-Off? ReportApril 10, 2025 Will the U.S. Housing Crisis Be Exploited for a Massive Public Lands Sell-Off? Some politicians are using the nation’s housing affordability problems as a pretense to sell off public lands—an extreme agenda that puts America’s treasured lands and waters at risk without substantively addressing housing needs. A new initiative from the Trump administration publicly promises restraint, while specific proposals from Capitol Hill tell a different story. Apr 10, 2025 Drew McConville, Doug Turner
America’s Park and Forest Rangers Are Being Fired, and Oil and Gas Bosses Are Now in Charge ArticleMarch 3, 2025 America’s Park and Forest Rangers Are Being Fired, and Oil and Gas Bosses Are Now in Charge Early impacts of Elon Musk and his team’s purge of the federal workforce are already hitting America’s parks and public lands, while oil and gas industry loyalists shift remaining government resources to prioritize corporate profits. Mar 3, 2025 Drew McConville, Sam Zeno
Trump Quietly Plans To Liquidate Public Lands To Finance His Sovereign Wealth Fund ArticleFebruary 20, 2025 Trump Quietly Plans To Liquidate Public Lands To Finance His Sovereign Wealth Fund President Donald Trump’s executive order to create a sovereign wealth fund requires that the United States come up with heaps of cash quickly, which may make selling out and selling off public lands irresistible. Feb 20, 2025 Mark Haggerty, Jenny Rowland-Shea
Opening More Lands and Waters for Oil Drilling Won’t Lower Energy Prices ArticleFebruary 10, 2025 Opening More Lands and Waters for Oil Drilling Won’t Lower Energy Prices Promises to lower prices through mandating oil leasing are overblown and would actually line the pockets of Big Oil. Feb 10, 2025 Jenny Rowland-Shea, Mariel Lutz
The Biden Administration Took Record-Breaking Conservation Action ArticleJanuary 17, 2025 The Biden Administration Took Record-Breaking Conservation Action The Biden administration’s record-breaking conservation actions are one of the most popular pieces of their legacy. Jan 17, 2025 Sam Zeno, Jenny Rowland-Shea
8 Ways Special Interests Are Asking President-Elect Trump To Sell Out U.S. Public Lands ReportJanuary 16, 2025 8 Ways Special Interests Are Asking President-Elect Trump To Sell Out U.S. Public Lands Corporate insiders have shamelessly lined up a suite of proposals to enrich themselves at the expense of American families and future generations. President-elect Trump will soon make his choice: reject these bad ideas or sell out America’s parks and public lands on the cheap. Jan 16, 2025 Drew McConville, Jenny Rowland-Shea
The Designation of Chuckwalla National Monument Would Protect Connected Ecosystems and Close the Nature Gap ArticleDecember 23, 2024 The Designation of Chuckwalla National Monument Would Protect Connected Ecosystems and Close the Nature Gap By improving ecosystem connectivity and closing the nature gap, President Biden could cement his conservation legacy through designating Chuckwalla National Monument. Dec 23, 2024 Sam Zeno
Protecting Public Land Revenue-Sharing Governments From the Fiscal Risks of Economic Transitions ReportDecember 9, 2024 Protecting Public Land Revenue-Sharing Governments From the Fiscal Risks of Economic Transitions The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerability of state, local, and Tribal governments’ dependence on payments tied to resource extraction on public lands. The Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund offered a temporary solution and a framework for a permanent one. Dec 9, 2024 Sharon Ferguson, Mark Haggerty
Disappearing Parks: How Project 2025 Would Decrease Protections for Nature ArticleOctober 21, 2024 Disappearing Parks: How Project 2025 Would Decrease Protections for Nature Eight landscape-level national monuments designated by the Biden-Harris administration have helped close the nature gap for millions of Americans, but their protections are at risk from extreme anti-conservation measures in Project 2025. Oct 21, 2024 Sam Zeno
Project 2025 Would Be a Disaster for National Marine Sanctuaries ArticleSeptember 9, 2024 Project 2025 Would Be a Disaster for National Marine Sanctuaries Project 2025 would put a freeze on new national marine sanctuaries, prevent existing sanctuaries from being effectively managed, and open the door for mineral exploration in these vital areas. Sep 9, 2024 Alia Hidayat
A Below-the-Radar Public Lands Decision With Big Implications for Alaska Native Communities ReportJune 21, 2024 A Below-the-Radar Public Lands Decision With Big Implications for Alaska Native Communities A pending decision by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland for 28 million acres of public lands could be one of the Biden administration’s biggest conservation and Indigenous rights wins. Jun 21, 2024 Drew McConville, Alia Hidayat
The Agenda of the 118th Congress’ Antiparks Caucus ArticleJune 10, 2024 The Agenda of the 118th Congress’ Antiparks Caucus A new CAP analysis identifies the latest congressional antiparks caucus and their wide targeted agenda to dismantle America’s most beloved public lands. Jun 10, 2024 Sam Zeno
State Leadership To Conserve Nature Past EventJune 6, 2024 State Leadership To Conserve Nature Join the Center for American Progress and the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators for a discussion with state leaders about conservation policy successes. 1333 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 Jun 6, 2024
Secretary Deb Haaland Has Made Historic Progress at the Department of the Interior ArticleJune 3, 2024 Secretary Deb Haaland Has Made Historic Progress at the Department of the Interior Deb Haaland, the 54th U.S. secretary of the interior, has delivered historic conservation policies and made groundbreaking progress in addressing the treatment of Tribal and Indigenous peoples in the United States. Jun 3, 2024 Angelo Villagomez, Sam Zeno, Joel Moffett
New Public Lands Actions Turn the Page on Decades of Conflict and Mismanagement ReportApril 19, 2024 New Public Lands Actions Turn the Page on Decades of Conflict and Mismanagement Complementary new policies from the Biden administration will ensure conservation, energy development, and recreation go hand in hand. Apr 19, 2024 Drew McConville
Expanding San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Would Increase Access to Protected Nature in Greater Los Angeles ArticleApril 15, 2024 Expanding San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Would Increase Access to Protected Nature in Greater Los Angeles President Biden should utilize the Antiquities Act to expand San Gabriel Mountains National Monument to include 109,000 acres that are most proximal to nature-deprived communities. Apr 15, 2024 Sam Zeno
State Policy Leadership To Conserve Nature ReportApril 11, 2024 State Policy Leadership To Conserve Nature As momentum builds nationally to address the nature and climate crises, state and territorial leaders across the country have stepped up with a variety of measures aimed at conserving lands and waters. Apr 11, 2024 Drew McConville, Kate Burgess, Mariel Lutz
The Biden Administration Is Protecting Wildlife and Ecosystems at Chaco Canyon ArticleMarch 11, 2024 The Biden Administration Is Protecting Wildlife and Ecosystems at Chaco Canyon The Biden administration’s mining ban for the 10-mile radius surrounding Chaco Canyon conserves more than 60,000 acres of the area’s most vital ecosystems. Mar 11, 2024 Sam Zeno
The Biden Administration Has Taken More Climate Action Than Any Other in History ArticleMarch 6, 2024 The Biden Administration Has Taken More Climate Action Than Any Other in History The United States has accomplished more on climate change under the Biden administration than during any other presidential administration—and there’s still more to come. Mar 6, 2024 Trevor Higgins, Rachel Chang, Devon Lespier
The Biden Administration Has Reached Conservation Records in 2023 ArticleDecember 20, 2023 The Biden Administration Has Reached Conservation Records in 2023 After three years in office, it is clear that the Biden administration is safeguarding public lands at a record rate; in the coming year, it must continue its conservation progress through community-led, justice-centered landscape protections. Dec 20, 2023 Sam Zeno
Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice IssueNovember 1, 2021 Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice We pursue climate action that meets the crisis’s urgency, creates good-quality jobs, benefits disadvantaged communities, and restores U.S. credibility on the global stage.