Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** More than 60 Western communities are speaking up to defend public lands
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Friday, September 26, 2025
Town of Mesilla, New Mexico Mayor Russell Hernandez speaking at a Keep Parks Public event in August shortly after Mesilla passed a resolution supporting public lands. Center for Western Priorities photo.
More than 60 communities ([link removed]) across the West have passed resolutions, sent letters to their federal delegation, or issued proclamations in response to the Trump administration and anti-public lands members of Congress' attacks on public lands.
Anna Peterson, executive director of The Mountain Pact, an organization that works with over 100 communities across the Western U.S., said ([link removed]) , “Threats from the Trump administration and radical anti-public lands politicians are putting our shared outdoor heritage in danger of being exploited for short-term gain.” Peterson referenced an attempt led by Utah Senator Mike Lee to force the sale of more than 1 million acres of public lands to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy that was defeated after widespread public outcry.
“In response to the deeply alarming and profoundly disappointing proposals to sell off public lands, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors was proud to affirm our support for the public lands that serve as the bedrock of our communities, economy, and heritage,” said ([link removed]) Coconino County, Arizona Board of Supervisors Chair Patrice Horstman.
“Communities across the West are standing up and taking official action to condemn these reckless and irresponsible attacks, and to push back against those who want to auction off these irreplaceable and sacred landscapes to the highest bidder,” Peterson said. More statements from communities across the West can be found on the Mountain Pact's website ([link removed]) .
Podcast: How people across the West are fighting to protect public lands
This Saturday, September 27th is National Public Lands Day, and in honor of that, we’re bringing you a special behind the scenes podcast episode ([link removed]) about our Keep Parks Public ([link removed]) tour. This summer, the CWP team embarked on a 10-day journey that took us from Denver to Las Cruces, Tucson, Flagstaff, Moab, Salt Lake City, Grand Junction, and Jackson, Wyoming. The goal of the Keep Parks Public ([link removed]) tour was to highlight the impacts President Trump’s staffing and funding cuts are having on public lands across the West by hearing from local political and business leaders, conservation advocates, former park rangers and superintendents, and public land lovers. In this episode ([link removed]) , the CWP team shares what we learned on the tour, plays
some of the best quotes from our live events, and reads a few of the 150+ comments people submitted through the Keep Parks Public website in answer to the question, “Why do public lands matter to you?”
** Quick hits
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Lawsuit seeks meeting calendars for Interior DOGE officials and political appointees
Public Domain ([link removed])
National Park Service removes Trump-Epstein statue on the National Mall, raising free speech concerns
CNN ([link removed])
Interior agencies say they own lots of land and the department's Inspector General is asking them to prove it
E&E News ([link removed])
Editorial: Is there no place for conservation on public lands?
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])
Utility agrees to $640 million settlement in lawsuit over most destructive wildfire in Colorado history
Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
July 4 wildfire near Grand Canyon still burning with questions about the response still unanswered
AZPM ([link removed])
A music festival on the Colorado River is threatened by climate change
New York Times ([link removed])
Majority of public comments oppose rollback of the Roadless Rule
Tucson Sentinel ([link removed]) | Truthout ([link removed]) | Montana Public Radio ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” Public lands are what make Durango such an amazing place to live and raise a family, and recent attempts to sell off these treasures made affirming our commitment to protecting them a no-brainer.”
—Gilda Yazzie, mayor of Durango, Colorado ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@mypubliclands ([link removed])
National Public Lands Day is just around the corner! This Saturday, join us for a fee-free day to explore and enjoy your public lands!
Get involved by finding an event near you and help us maintain and care for these beautiful spaces we all cherish. Whether it’s planting trees, cleaning up trails, or simply enjoying the great outdoors, every little bit helps! 💚
Let’s come together to celebrate and protect our natural treasures! Check out the events happening in your area at the 🔗 in our bio.
See you out there! 🌲✨
@neefusa_org ([link removed])
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