While I’ve maintained steering this blog space away from politics, when the public lands and natural landscapes I love to explore come under threat I’m unable to do anything less than use my voice to the best of my abilities.
While I continue to raise awareness on social media outlets, I wanted to take a moment to share helpful resources to encourage others to get involved in protecting our parks, forests and public lands.
The Threat:
The current administration has done more than layoff federal workers within the national park system. Over the course of only one month it has managed to sacrifice environmental protection programs, departments and resources putting the very essence of our wild landscapes under threat. These actions continue to escalate the threat to our public lands by the day.
Some of these threats include in recent policy shifts and administrative actions including (and definitely not limited to):
Federal agencies like the Forest Service and National Park Service are struggling with severe understaffing and funding shortages due to mass terminations which hinder the ability to effectively manage and protect the areas.
Key environmental safeguards, such as regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), have been dismantled.
The revocation of outer continental shelf withdrawals and orders aimed at maximizing resource extraction in Alaska, potentially leading to industrial development in sensitive ecosystems.
Proposals to open national monuments to drilling, as outlined in Secretary’s Order 3418, "Unleashing American Energy.”
Additionally, the appointment of a former logging industry executive as US Forest Service Chief raises severe questions about the prioritization of conservation versus exploitation.
And with the onslaught of quick actions, this is just a sampling of what has taken place that I was able to recall while writing this piece but it is enough evidence to recognize the threat and the crucial need to actively defend our national parks, forests and public lands. For those looking to empower themselves with knowledge and take actionable steps, I hope this post serves as a helpful guide to finding how you can play a vital role in protecting our awe-inspiring public lands.
How to Defend National Parks and Public Lands
Speak Up:
When it comes to resisting political agendas advocacy and civic engagement can be a powerful tool for change. Urging elected officials to remain accountable to the people they represent is the first step. The aim in contacting representatives to voice concerns and engage in advocacy is to further educate representatives about the causes that impact us and our environment and ultimately impact their decision making when it comes to voting for regulations and resisting counter-productive measures that may be proposed. Whether you decide to contact your representatives or participate in public hearings at a state or county level, demand the protection of parks, public lands, wilderness areas and rangers.
Vote Responsibly:
With the Trump/Musk administration implementing their agenda by the day, voting can feel like a mute point, but it is crucial to be aware of local elections at the state and city level and do your research to vote for candidates with strong environmental platforms who value conservation efforts and take a stance on public lands and environmental issues.
Join Advocacy Groups:
There’s no doubt, with advocacy and taking a stand against political and corporate agendas comes pure exhaustion, which is why it’s nice to know that you aren’t alone and have a support system advocating for the same principles and goals. Organizations like the National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, Nevada State Parks, Keep Tahoe Blue, and The Wilderness Society, U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are examples of some groups and departments focused on environmental protection and signing up for newsletters, buying park passes and attending events are a variety of ways you can join their campaigns to support their efforts.
Recreate Responsibly:
While we strive for large-scale policy changes and protections to be put in place, preserving our public lands is also about actively doing our part to preserve the natural landscapes. Daily individual actions, from how we travel to how we interact with nature, can have a cumulative impact, especially in a time when less rangers and employees are present to do much of the work. Adopting sustainable practices like “Leave No Trace” can help minimize our footprint and ensure that our national parks and public lands remain cared for and are preserved for the wildlife that rely on it.
Volunteer Your Time:
Many parks and organizations offer volunteer opportunities, from trail maintenance to habitat restoration. While many of these activities are often ranger-led, employment cuts may result in canceling many volunteer activities. If ranger-led volunteer programs are not available in your area, one thing you can do with every visit to public lands is bring an extra trash bag and pick up any man-made trash left behind along trails and dispose of it properly.
Donate:
While individual actions are crucial, and actively participating in protests helps build a visual representation of those fighting for the cause, providing financial support when possible is also essential. Donations help organizations maintain their efforts to provide safe natural habitats and secure visitor experiences. Here are some of my favorite organizations and departments that are working tirelessly to safeguard our natural landscapes and the animals that inhabit them.
National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA): The NPCA advocates to protect and enhance America's National Park System for present and future generations.
National Park Foundation (NPF): The NPF raises private funds to support and enhance the preservation and enjoyment of America's national parks.
The Wilderness Society: works to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places.
The Nature Conservancy: conserves the lands and waters on which all life depends.
Sierra Club: explores, enjoys, and protects the wild places of the earth.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness: works to preserve and protect all qualified Nevada public lands as wilderness, protecting its wild character. If you are not located in Nevada, you can do a search for “Friends of…” and your state to often find similar organizations that are local to you.
Keep Tahoe Blue: protects and restores Lake Tahoe's environmental health through science-based programs, education, and advocacy.
Additionally, REI has a great list of outdoor partners within their Cooperative Action Fund who focus on making outdoor spaces accessible. That list of REI's Cooperative Action Fund partners can be found by clicking here.
Raise Awareness:
Knowledge is the foundation of effective conservation. Continuing to learn about the ecological significance that our national parks provide and the challenges they face equip us to better protect them. Education also empowers us to share our passion with others, thus the sharing of content like this blog. Together we can share a commitment to preserving our public lands and have a greater impact on reversing damaging effects that are taking place.
If you feel empowered to be part of movement to protect our parks, national forests, and public lands please take a moment to share this blog with others on social media, leave a comment to share what actions you are taking and connect with others passionate about preserving our public lands and continuously use your voice to share about the importance of protecting public lands.
The future of our national parks and public lands rests in our hands.
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