Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Big brands band together to protect public lands
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Thursday, April 10, 2025
Patagonia store in downtown Banff, Canada; Adam Fagen/Flickr ([link removed])
The Conservation Alliance announced Wednesday ([link removed]) that over 60 businesses have joined together to send a powerful message to the president and Congress: protecting our public lands is critical to individuals, communities, and businesses across the country.
The new coalition, Brands for Public Lands, includes companies ([link removed]) headquartered in 17 states representing varying industries and interests, from outdoor apparel and gear to media, retailers, and tourism. Overall the group represents over 48,000 employees and over $17.5 billion in revenue. Its members include ([link removed]) REI, Patagonia, and the Outdoor Industry Association.
The group plans to focus ([link removed]) on stopping the wholesale sell-off of public lands, defending national monuments, and protecting iconic landscapes from industrial extraction. It sent a letter ([link removed]) Wednesday asking Congress not to sell off public land to pay down the national debt or offset tax cuts.
Will Doug the Diva serve or be served?
In a new Westwise blog ([link removed]) post ([link removed]) , CWP's Senior Director of Advocacy Lauren Bogard details how Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has abused his post in his first month on the job and reminds Burgum that petty misbehavior took down former Trump cabinet members Ryan Zinke and Scott Pruitt during the president's first term.
** Quick hits
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Trump declares war on state climate laws
New York Times ([link removed]) | Politico ([link removed]) | Grist ([link removed])
Senator from Minnesota introduces bill to ban copper mining near the Boundary Waters
MPR News ([link removed]) | KARE11 ([link removed])
Opinion: Land grab around the ol’ campfire, or git along li’l DOGE
WyoFile ([link removed])
Local officials in Montana urge feds to reconsider job cuts
Montana Free Press ([link removed])
Why 3 decent winters in a row still isn’t enough to fill Lake Powell
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Trump agencies eye public lands for homes. Conservation groups say it's a costly giveaway
Arizona Republic ([link removed])
National park superintendents told to use ingenuity when staffing
National Parks Traveler ([link removed])
Nearly 200 cows disappeared in Colorado. The case remains cold
Washington Post ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” Secretary Burgum’s blatant misuse of agency resources and his disregard for the importance of Interior’s multi-purpose mission is bad for agency morale, bad for taxpayers, and bad for America’s parks and public lands and the people who care for them — America deserves an Interior secretary who wants to serve the public, not one who demands his staff serve him cookies.”
—Lauren Bogard, senior director of advocacy at the Center for Western Priorities, Westwise ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@BLMNational ([link removed])
Recreation on BLM-managed lands & waters contributes significantly to local economies through visitor spending & support of recreation-focused businesses. In 2023, recreation-related visits totaled more than 82 million, contributing $11.8 billion to our nation's economy.
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