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A new report from Trust for Public Land outlines how public lands are a cherished national resource and a powerful driver of economic growth and community health. The report, entitled America Needs More Public Lands, Not Less, highlights the rising demand for public lands, and warns of the consequences of underfunding and privatizing public land.
The report finds that America's public lands are more popular than ever, and Americans oppose efforts to sell public lands. National Parks welcomed 331.9 million visitors in 2024, more than the top 10 built tourist attractions combined. Outdoor recreation supports a $1.2 trillion economy and sustains five million jobs, powering local businesses and gateway communities. Across political parties, proposals to sell or transfer these lands are wildly unpopular. New polling data commissioned by Trust for Public Land and conducted by YouGov shows that over 70 percent of Americans oppose the sale of public lands, including 61 percent of Trump voters.
“We are living in a golden age of outdoor recreation,” said Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, president and CEO of Trust for Public Land. “Americans love their public lands. People want greater protection of existing lands, and they are eager for more opportunities to explore and connect to new landscapes.”
How the White House is making federal permitting less efficient
On the latest episode of The Landscape, Kate and Aaron nerd out with John Ruple, public lands professor at the University of Utah and a former member of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) about recent changes to how the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is being implemented across federal agencies, like the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service.
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It really just is a full-on attack on outdoor recreation in the United States. Anyone who camps, hikes, bikes, climbs — anyone who enjoys our public lands should be shocked and concerned about the attacks.”
