Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** 'Keep Parks Public' tour rolls into New Mexico, Arizona
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Monday, August 18, 2025
The Center for Western Priorities' Keep Parks Public SUV and team at Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in New Mexico. CWP photo.
The Center for Western Priorities' Keep Parks Public ([link removed]) road trip traveled through New Mexico and Arizona over the weekend, making stops with local conservation leaders in Las Cruces and Tucson.
New Mexico's Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is one of the monuments targeted by the Trump administration for elimination or a reduction in land protection.
“As a business owner, I know firsthand how public lands contribute to our local economy,” said Mesilla, New Mexico Mayor Russell Hernandez ([link removed]) . “As a father, I want to ensure my kids and grandkids will always have the same access to New Mexico’s treasured public lands, including Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.”
In Tucson, local and county governments have passed resolutions in support of Ironwood Forest National Monument, another targeted park.
“Public lands aren’t just a backdrop — they are at the core of conservation in Southern Arizona,” said Kate Hotten, co-executive director of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection ([link removed]) . “We are so grateful for the strong support of Ironwood Forest National Monument and our other public lands from our community, the Town of Marana, and Pima County, and look forward to similar support from our representatives.”
The Keep Parks Public tour ([link removed]) kicked off with a live podcast episode ([link removed]) in Denver, and we'll be recording two more this week, in Salt Lake City on Thursday, August 21st ([link removed]) , and in Grand Junction on Friday, August 22nd ([link removed]) . RSVP today to join us!
** Quick hits
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Wyden, conservation advocates denounce Park Service cuts to Crater Lake
Fox 12 Oregon ([link removed]) | KDRV ([link removed])
California national monument opens Cotoni-Coast Dairies, allowing hiking among the cows
NPR ([link removed]) | KION 46 ([link removed]) | Santa Cruz Sentinel ([link removed]) | Foundation for America's Public Lands ([link removed]) [Press Release]
Opinion: We sometimes disagree, but not on this—selling public lands would ruin Arizona
Arizona Republic ([link removed])
Congress demands Trump administration account for wildland fire vacancies as Forest Service wants firefighters to work more hours
ProPublica ([link removed]) | Government Executive ([link removed]) | NPR ([link removed])
Wildland firefighters, unmasked in toxic smoke, are getting sick and dying
New York Times ([link removed])
Where national parks and public lands stand as Trump administration prepares to privatize
Wes Siler's Newsletter ([link removed])
The Roadless Rule explained
More Than Just Parks ([link removed])
As the Great Salt Lake dries up, clouds of dangers dust blow into boomtowns
Washington Post ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” Although not subject to the Endangered Species Act, the most endangered species in national parks today is the park ranger. America’s national parks are our country’s crown jewels. These attacks on staffing, science, and history are simply un-American.”
—Bill Wade, Association of National Park Rangers, at the Keep Parks Public press conference in Tucson ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@keepparkspublic ([link removed])
We made a stop at Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument yesterday to highlight the importance of public lands to New Mexico’s culture and economy.
Thank you to the Mayor of Mesilla, @nuestratierranm ([link removed]) , the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce, and the offices of @senatorlujan ([link removed]) and @repgabevasquez ([link removed]) for joining the campaign to Keep Parks Public!
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