Public Lands Conservancy

"In recent years, visitation to national parks has soared to new levels. In 2021, four of Utah’s Mighty 5 parks reached record visitation. The National Park Service reported more than 325 million visits to parks in 2023, an increase of 13 million from the previous year. Additionally, recreation visitor hours reached 1.4 billion, a 4% annual increase.
A surge in visitation also means a burden on park facilities. At some parks, amenities suffer from neglect, with dilapidated bathrooms, deteriorating roads and neglected campsites becoming all too common sights. This not only detracts from the visitor experience but also poses long-term risks to the integrity of our parks. Currently, the National Park System is staring down more than $23 billion in overdue repairs, known as the deferred maintenance backlog, a figure that has ballooned over the past couple of decades."

Are we loving our national parks too much? As maintenance is delayed, we need to get creative so our national park system can thrive.

"A lawsuit was filed Tuesday against the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over cattle that leave forest lands to enter Valles Caldera National Preserve in northern New Mexico. Brought by three environmental groups, the lawsuit alleges the agencies violated the Endangered Species Act by allowing livestock to illegally graze in the preserve.

The lawsuit (attached below) was brought by WildEarth Guardians, Western Watersheds Project, and Caldera Action. It follows what they contend were years of inaction by the Forest Service to prevent livestock authorized to graze on adjacent Forest Service lands from illegally entering the preserve. "

U.S. Forest Service, Fish And Wildlife Service Sued Over Livestock Trespass At Valles Caldera National Preserve A lawsuit has been filed against the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over cattle that leave forest lands to enter Valles Caldera National Preserve in northern New Mexico. Brought by three environmental groups, the lawsuit alleges the agencies violated the Endangered Species Ac...

"It turns out seeing pictures from national parks on social media might be driving more people to get out in nature. A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal explores this phenomenon by examining the possible correlation between social media posts about national parks and spikes in visitors, especially for the less popular parks that aren't as heavily trafficked."

Study Finds the Impact Social Media Is Having on National Parks What people see online might drive them to the parks.

"Gov. Jared Polis has signed off on an invitation to Colorado’s newest prospective resident: the North American wolverine.

At an event on Loveland Pass on Monday the governor signed Senate Bill 24-174, which paves the way for Colorado Parks and Wildlife to reintroduce the largest terrestrial member of the weasel family to the Centennial State. State Sen. Perry Will, a R-New Castle and co-sponsor of the bill, said it “was one of my favorite bills this session.” "

Wolverines could be the next animal to come to Colorado as Polis signs reintroduction bill The legislation won’t put wolverines on the ground anytime soon but it does create a framework for reintroduction. Colorado is considered a prime habitat for the animals.

"Billions of people are using different kinds of energy each day and 2023 was a record-breaking year for renewable energy sources — ones that don't emit planet-warming pollutants like carbon dioxide and methane — according to a report published Wednesday by Ember, a think tank based in London."

More and faster: Electricity from clean sources reaches 30% of global total Billions of people are using different kinds of energy each day and 2023 was a record-breaking year for renewable energy sources — ones that don't emit planet-warming pollutants like carbon dioxide and methane — according to a report published Wednesday by Ember, a think tank based in London. Fo...

A 40-panel rooftop solar system, (13.17 kW) has been installed at the Tomales Bay Marine Station within Point Reyes National Seashore. The new system offsets about 90% of the electrical use for the Station’s three researcher residential units, septic pumps, dock facilities, and the marine lab. The system aggregates multiple meters to allow the larger solar system to be placed on one rooftop. A two-battery Enphase backup system was installed to provide power during outages. The solar array was made possible by Point Reyes National Seashore Association when they received a generous donation from two donors who have a deep love for the Seashore and want to help combat the impacts of climate change. Public Lands Conservancy provided support, oversight, and guidance for the project.

President Joe Biden on Thursday expanded two national monuments in California following calls from tribal nations, "Indigenous community leaders and others for the permanent protection of nearly 120,000 acres (48,562 hectares) of important cultural and environmental land.

The designations are part of the Democratic president’s “America the Beautiful” initiative, launched in 2021 in line with Biden’s campaign promises, and builds on the Great American Outdoors Act. They’re aimed at honoring tribal heritage, meeting federal goals to conserve 30% of public lands and waters by 2030 and addressing climate change, the White House said in a news release.

Against the backdrop of Biden’s reelection campaign, the White House emphasized the role of Vice President Kamala Harris in ensuring protections in her home state. The state of California also has conservation targets."

Biden expands 2 national monuments in California significant to tribal nations President Joe Biden has expanded two culturally significant California landscapes: the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in Southern California and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Northern California.

"Most Montanans agree: the outdoors are an important part of life in the state.

So says the 2024 Voter Survey on Public Lands, conducted by a bipartisan research team on behalf of the Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone Initiative in late March, consisted of 500 interviews with Montana adults on issues related to the outdoors and quality of life across the state.

Respondents overwhelmingly signaled their support for public lands and conservation, with 83% listing “issues involving clean water, clean air, open spaces, and public lands” as either very important or somewhat important in deciding whether to support an elected official. Only 17% listed those issues as “not too important” or “not at all important.”"

Survey shows wide support for conservation, public lands in Montana Most Montanans agree: the outdoors are an important part of life in the state.

"Wildlife advocates are celebrating “incredible” news for the preservation of threatened bears, and a herd of historically significant wild horses, in separate north-western and upper midwestern national parks.

In North Dakota, the National Parks Service (NPS) has dropped a plan that would have seen about 200 wild horses, descended from those belonging to Native American tribes who fought the 1876 Great Sioux war, rounded up and removed from Theodore Roosevelt national park."

‘Incredible’ news for bears and wild horses as US shifts preservation plans National Park Service will reintroduce bears to Washington’s North Cascades and won’t remove horses from North Dakota park

"The National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday a decision to “actively restore” grizzly bears to the North Cascades region of Washington state.

For thousands of years, grizzly bears roamed the region “as a key part of the ecosystem, distributing native plant seeds and keeping other wildlife populations in balance,” according to NPS."

Grizzly bears to be reintroduced to Washington state’s North Cascades The National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday a decision to “actively restore” grizzly bears to the North Cascades region of Washington state. For thousa…

"The national parks system represents one of the largest and most well-known examples of environmental protection in the United States, and yet — from Acadia to Zion — the popular version of this story often begins and ends with familiar figures (ahem, Theodore Roosevelt) championing the majesty of its landscapes.

In reality, of course, these incredible places were known and cared for long before ranger stations welcomed the lines of cars rolling into them on a packed summer day. All 63 national parks sit on what were once Indigenous lands. And for thousands of years, before the National Park Service was created, people carefully tended these ecosystems and stewarded these resources."

Seven people who influenced our national parks We highlight seven people who changed the way our national park system was created and managed during the past 150 years as we celebrate the 54th Earth Day.

"Almost everyone loves the ocean. But not everyone agrees on what it means to protect it.

The United States is conserving approximately one-third of the country’s ocean areas, according to an early analysis released Friday by the Biden administration — suggesting the president is meeting a key environmental goal laid out at the beginning of his term.

But others say that’s not the case.

Some of those areas still allow for commercial fishing, advocates say, and fall short of protections needed to save marine ecosystems facing dire threats."

Has the U.S. really conserved a third of its waters? Here’s the math. The White House said initial estimates show the country is meeting a key marine conservation goal as ocean advocates warn against including areas where fishing is allowed.

"The Biden administration is expected to deny permission for a 211-mile industrial road through fragile Alaskan wilderness to a large copper deposit, handing a victory to environmentalists in an election year when the president wants to underscore his credentials as a climate leader and conservationist.

The Interior Department intends to announce as early as this week that there should be “no action” on the federal land where the road known as the Ambler Access Project would be built, according to two people familiar with the decision who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to discuss the decision. A formal denial of the project would come later this year, they said."

Interior Said to Reject Industrial Road Through Alaskan Wilderness A mining company wants to build a 211-mile industrial road through Alaskan wilderness to reach a large copper deposit. The Interior Department says it would harm wildlife and communities.

"For decades, the federal government has prioritized oil and gas drilling, hardrock mining and livestock grazing on public lands across the country. That could soon change under a far-reaching Interior Department rule that puts conservation, recreation and renewable energy development on equal footing with resource extraction.

The final rule released Thursday represents a seismic shift in the management of roughly 245 million acres of public property — about one-tenth of the nation’s land mass. It is expected to draw praise from conservationists and legal challenges from fossil fuel industry groups and Republican officials, some of whom have lambasted the move as a “land grab.”"

The U.S. just changed how it manages a tenth of its land The Interior Department finalized a rule that puts conservation on equal footing with mining, grazing and drilling on public lands across the country.

"Oil and gas companies will have to pay more to drill on federal lands and satisfy stronger requirements to clean up old or abandoned wells under a final rule issued Friday by the Biden administration.

The Interior Department's rule raises royalty rates for oil drilling by more than one-third, to 16.67%, in accordance with the sweeping 2022 climate law approved by Congress. The previous rate of 12.5% paid by oil and gas companies for federal drilling rights had remained unchanged for a century. The federal rate was significantly lower than what many states and private landowners charge for drilling leases on state or private lands."

Oil and gas companies must pay more to drill on federal lands under new Biden administration rule WASHINGTON (AP) — Oil and gas companies will have to pay more to drill on federal lands and satisfy stronger requirements to clean up old or abandoned wells under a final rule issued Friday by the Biden administration. The Interior Department's rule raises royalty rates for oil drilling by more th...

"President Biden plans to expand the boundaries of two national monuments in California in the coming weeks, aiming to bolster his conservation record and increase access to nature for disadvantaged communities, according to two people briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

Biden is expected to sign proclamations expanding the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, both of which were originally designated by President Barack Obama, the two people said. The exact timing and location of the announcement have not yet been finalized, although it could coincide with Earth Day on April 22, they said."

Biden plans to expand two national monuments in California President Biden will soon expand two national monuments in California, aiming to bolster his conservation record, people familiar with the matter say.

"Colorado lawmakers on Wednesday hailed the announcement by federal officials that 220,000 acres of national forest land on Colorado’s Western Slope will be protected from oil and gas development and mining for at least the next 20 years.

The U.S. Interior Department confirmed that it would withdraw the Thompson Divide area near Crested Butte from federal mineral leasing, following an 18-month review process and more than a decade of advocacy by local conservationists and Colorado officials.

“This announcement is a testament to the persistence of Colorado’s farmers, ranchers, hunters, anglers, recreationists, wildlife enthusiasts, and conservation groups, who were unrelenting in their work to protect the landscape we all love,” Bennet, a Democrat who has long championed the move, said in a press release."

Colorado lawmakers applaud 20-year pause on Thompson Divide oil and gas drilling • Colorado Newsline Local elected officials and conservation advocates say Wednesday's announcement has been a long time coming.

"President Roosevelt's influence and love for natural beauty led to the creation and expansion of the national park system, protecting over 230 million acres of public lands.

National parks play a crucial role in protecting and rehabilitating threatened and endangered species, such as the reintroduction of gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park.

National parks are implementing various measures, such as promoting public transportation and implementing wildlife rehabilitation programs, to prioritize conservation and sustainability in line with Roosevelt's original message."

National Parks And Sustainability: A Path To Conservation And Adventure National Parks are beautiful travel destinations. Behind the scenes, they are also doing a world of good for the vulnerable ecosystems of the US.

"The Biden administration on Thursday strengthened protections of the Endangered Species Act, repealing Trump-era rules that had stripped safeguards for plants and animals that are threatened by human development and the climate crisis.

The newly finalized regulations will reinstate so-called blanket rule protections for species listed as threatened with extinction in addition to those listed as endangered. In 2019, the Trump administration removed protections for threatened species, a specification that falls below endangered.

The Biden administration rules also finalized a provision that agencies can’t consider the economic impact of listing certain species as threatened or endangered – another Trump-era provision. The new rules will also consider the threat of climate change."

Endangered Species Act: Biden administration strengthens protections that were weakened under Trump | CNN Politics The Biden administration on Thursday strengthened protections of the Endangered Species Act, repealing Trump-era rules that had stripped safeguards for plants and animals that are threatened by human development and the climate crisis.

"The largest dam removal project in history, it’s being overseen by the nonprofit Klamath River Renewal Corp., with a $500-million budget including funds from California and from surcharges paid by PacifiCorp customers. The utility, based in Portland, Ore., agreed to remove the aging dams — which were used for power generation, not water storage — after determining it would be less expensive than trying to bring them up to current environmental standards."

The Klamath River's dams are being removed. Inside the effort to restore a scarred watershed Reservoirs have been drained as the nation's largest dam removal effort advances on the Klamath River, and an effort to restore the watershed is taking root.

"The federal government announced on Thursday it wants to release up to seven grizzly bears each year into Washington’s North Cascades. The reintroduction effort would stop when the base population reaches 25 bears.

Officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service on Thursday released their final analysis of options for bringing the bruins back to the Cascades. The bears would be part of an “experimental” population, which would give wildlife officials more options for killing or relocating bears that have run-ins with people and livestock.

The agencies were careful to say that the document released Thursday doesn’t represent a final decision. Federal regulations state that a final decision can’t be released until 30 days after the final environmental analysis is released."

Feds release North Cascades grizzly bear analysis; decision to come next month The federal government announced on Thursday it wants to release up to seven grizzly bears each year into Washington’s North Cascades. The reintroduction effort would stop when the base population reaches 25 bears.

"U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, along with Rep. Joe Neguse, have introduced the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Completion Act, which would expand the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area in Routt National Forest by 6,817 acres, protecting sub-alpine wilderness habitats and wildlife while providing increased access to outdoor recreation. "

Hickenlooper, Bennet, Neguse introduce bill to expand Sarvis Creek Wilderness U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, along with Rep. Joe Neguse, have introduced the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Completion Act, which would expand the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area in Routt National Forest by 6,817 acres, protecting sub-alpine wilderness...

"Colorado has seen a surge in wildlife-related voting measures, including one that returned wolves to Colorado, one to restore wolverines introduced into the state legislature Monday and one to ban mountain lion hunting that is in the process of gathering signatures to place it on the ballot."

"Will wolverines join wolves in being reintroduced into Colorado?
Senate Bill 24-171 was introduced Monday by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and a bipartisan group of legislators. If passed, it will give the wildlife agency the authority to reintroduce wolverines into the state."

First, it was lynxes, then wolves. Now some want to reintroduce wolverines in Colorado. Abundant in Alaska but not in the contiguous U.S., wolverines could be reintroduced in Colorado if the state legislature approves a proposed bill.

"Wolves from Colorado’s new pack expanded their roaming range over the past 35 days to the state’s northwesternmost county and across the Continental Divide, according to a map state officials released Wednesday."

Colorado’s wolves roamed from northwesternmost county to across Continental Divide last month The wolves have also wandered into several watersheds that touch or cross the border with Wyoming, but CPW spokesperson Joey Livingston said the department will not comment on any wolf movement out…

"The deal protects 8,000 acres in one of the most biodiverse regions in the nation.

Almost 250 years ago, before the Declaration of Independence pronounced the creation of the United States, artist and naturalist William Bartram sailed up the Tensaw and Tombigbee rivers from the port town of Mobile into a wild, watery delta – “the richest I ever saw.”

This week, the nonprofit The Nature Conservancy announced the purchase of nearly 8,000 acres in southwest Alabama in that very same delta where the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers come together.

The $18.2 million deal, the largest investment ever made by The Nature Conservancy in Alabama, protects and preserves a critical section of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, considered one of the most ecologically diverse places on Earth."

Nature Conservancy in Alabama makes major land purchase in Mobile-Tensaw Delta, 'America's Amazon' The deal protects 8,000 acres in one of the most biodiverse regions in the nation. Almost 250 years ago, before the Declaration of Independence pronounced the creation of the United States, artist and naturalist William Bartram sailed up the Tensaw and Tombigbee rivers from the port town of Mobile i...

"A trio of endangered gray wolves were found dead in southern Oregon and federal officials are offering a $50,000 reward for information about their deaths.

The bodies were found after the collars of two of the wolves put out a “mortality signal” on December 29, prompting a response from state wildlife protection personnel, the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced Friday.

The signals led authorities to the bodies of two collared wolves and one without a collar east of Bly, Oregon, the agency said. No details were provided on how the wolves died."

$50,000 reward offered for information on deaths of 3 endangered gray wolves in Oregon | CNN A trio of endangered gray wolves were found dead in southern Oregon and federal officials are offering a $50,000 reward for information about their deaths.

"The circulation of the Atlantic Ocean is heading towards a tipping point that is “bad news for the climate system and humanity”, a study has found.

The scientists behind the research said they were shocked at the forecast speed of collapse once the point is reached, although they said it was not yet possible to predict how soon that would happen.

Using computer models and past data, the researchers developed an early warning indicator for the breakdown of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Amoc), a vast system of ocean currents that is a key component in global climate regulation."

Atlantic Ocean circulation nearing ‘devastating’ tipping point, study finds Collapse in system of currents that helps regulate global climate would be at such speed that adaptation would be impossible

"“Hyper-visitation” in the crown jewels of public lands is a national issue, as parks everywhere take a beating from crowds. In 2016, the parks system marked a milestone, welcoming the most visitors ever in its history, some 331 million people, a thousand times the number of visitors exactly a century earlier, in the year of the system’s founding, when a mere 326,000 passed through park gates. Though the aggregate volume dropped by a hundred million people post-pandemic, many parks, like Arches, are still overwhelmed. "

Hypervisitation, the Fate of the National Parks, and Tourism Toxification in a Small Town : Corner Post In-Depth Hyper-visitation, the Fate of the National Parks, and Tourism Toxification in a Small Town by Christopher Ketcham – 04.12.2023 – 25 min. read The trouble at Arches National Park starts at the entrance during the spring and summer, when visitation is at its highest. First, there’s a 40...

"The Supreme Court on Monday rejected Alaska's bid to revive a proposed copper and gold mine that was blocked by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The justices did not comment in turning away the state’s attempt to sue the Biden administration directly in the high court over its desire to revive the proposed Pebble Mine in the state’s Bristol Bay region.

A year ago, the EPA stopped the mine proposal, citing concerns with potential impacts on a rich aquatic ecosystem that supports the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery."

Supreme Court Denies Alaska's Bid to Revive the Copper and Gold Pebble Mine Proposal Blocked by EPA The Supreme Court has rejected Alaska’s bid to revive a proposed copper and gold mine that was blocked by the Environmental Protection Agency

"For nearly two decades, a unique coalition of conservationists, ranchers and recreationists have fought to block oil and gas development on a rugged section of land on the Western Slope.

The Thompson Divide is “quintessential, old-school Colorado,” as one advocate put it. It encompasses rugged canyons, dramatic mountains, scraggly foothills and broad valleys. Few roads cut through it, and cell phone service is sparse.

Temporary protections for the land are now on the horizon after years of lobbying and organizing. The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management requested that the U.S. secretary of the interior block future mining and energy development on more than 350 square miles of the Thompson Divide for the next 20 years."

Ban on new oil and gas wells approaches for “cherished” Colorado landscape after years of grassroots efforts For nearly two decades, a unique coalition of conservationists, ranchers and recreationists have fought to block oil and gas development on a rugged section of land on the Western Slope. The Thompson Divide is “quintessential, old-school Colorado,” as one advocate put it. It encompasses rugged c...