Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Trump nominates former anti-public lands congressman for BLM director
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Thursday, November 6, 2025
2018 political ad attacking Steve Pearce's land sell-off record, archived in CWP's How Public Lands Won the West ([link removed]) comp reel
President Donald Trump has nominated former U.S. Representative Steve Pearce of New Mexico to run the Bureau of Land Management ([link removed]) , the federal agency that oversees 245 million acres of national public lands.
As a congressman, Pearce amassed a lengthy anti-public lands record, co-sponsoring numerous bills that would have undermined the Antiquities Act, ([link removed]) made it easier to sell off national public lands, and open national forests to road-building and clear-cutting. He opposed the designation of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument ([link removed]) in his own congressional district, which is now recognized asa major economic driver for the Las Cruces economy ([link removed].) .
“Pearce’s entire political career has been dedicated to blocking Americans’ access to public lands while giving the oil and gas industry free rein to drill and frack anywhere they wanted,” said ([link removed]) Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities. New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich serves on the committee that will review Pearce's nomination and said he will want to know ([link removed]) what Pearce thinks about the BLM plan to possibly overturn a Biden-era order ([link removed]) that prohibited new oil and gas leasing within a 10-mile buffer area around Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northwestern New Mexico.
** Quick hits
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Trump nominates former anti-public lands congressman for BLM director
Source NM ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | New Mexico Political Report ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Reuters ([link removed])
National park friends groups fill the gaps during shutdown, but at a price
National Parks Traveler ([link removed])
Author of "This America of Ours" revisits how McCarthyism came for public land conservation
Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Colorado's plans for closing coal plants could be reversed under Trump
Colorado Newsline ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
Interior department pauses plans for layoffs amid shutdown
New York Times ([link removed])
Arizona governor asks Trump administration to enter Colorado River fight
E&E News ([link removed])
Wildfire mitigation down 53 percent in New Mexico since Trump took office
Source NM ([link removed])
Column: Mike Lee is still trying to sell your land
More Than Just Parks ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” When the only question we ask of public lands is what they can do for us economically, we stop asking what they do for us spiritually, socially, and existentially. We begin to forget that value and utility are not always the same.”
—Frank DeSantis Jr., Backcountry Hunters & Anglers ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@wyo.state.parks ([link removed])
Congratulations on a beautiful residency, Georgia & Dave Rowswell!
Selected as the 2025 Artist in Residence, Georgia and Dave traveled across the state on a 10-day road trip, visiting @curtgowdystatepark ([link removed]) , @guernseystatepark ([link removed]) , @glendostatepark ([link removed]) , and @seminoe.state.park ([link removed]) .
Their original works from the journey will be on display during the exhibition show and sale at the Wyoming State Museum. Meet the artists, explore the available works for purchase, and have an inside look at the creative process of making art on the road during the opening reception, Friday, November 7, from 4-6 p.m. Entrance is free and open to the public.
The exhibit will be on view following the museum’s hours of Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., through December 19, 2025
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The Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Artist in Residence is a collaborative program between @wyo.state.parks ([link removed]) , @wyomingartscouncil ([link removed]) , and the @wyomingstatemuseum ([link removed]) .
#ExploreMoreWY ([link removed]) #WYResponsibly ([link removed]) #WyomingArtsCouncil ([link removed]) #WyoParks ([link removed])
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