Last weekend, I had the pleasure of celebrating National Public Lands Day with our amazing staff and Friends Network partners in New Mexico, Congressional champions, and public land enthusiasts in the community to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Conservation Lands. The contrast between public lands celebrations and today couldn't be starker. Today’s federal government shutdown marks the latest blow to unprotected public lands across the country. The shutdown, combined with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s plan to designate oil and gas permitting as "essential" and the administration’s threat to lay off thousands more federal employees, makes it clear that this administration prioritizes corporations over communities. Here's what they can't shut down: our resolve. Despite an administration historically opposed to public lands and conservation, our collective voice has been able to fight off every attempt to sell off public lands. That's the power of what we've built together—and it's why we can't stop now. In this newsletter, you'll find two urgent threats that need your voice right now, celebrations worth sharing, a tribute to our founding trustee Richard Moe, and ways to deepen your connection to this growing movement. Your action matters—let's get to work.

Washington, D.C. — The Trump administration today published a notice of proposed rulemaking to rescind the common-sense and widely-supported Conservation and Landscape Health Rule (“Public Lands Rule”) that ensures balanced management and public access to national public lands throughout the western U.S. The announcement indicated a 60-day public comment period, which is legally required of such changes. Below is a statement from Jocelyn Torres, Chief Conservation Officer of the Conservation Lands Foundation, which represents a national network of community advocates who are solely focused on the public lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), including the National Conservation Lands: “The repeal of the Public Lands Rule is a betrayal of the public trust and a reckless step backwards for land stewardship in America. Americans have already raised their voices—loudly and clearly—in support of this rule. During the original rulemaking, which was finalized last year, 92% of public comments supported it. This action is a slap in the face to every American who is proud of the natural beauty we have on offer, free of charge, to everyone. “The Public Lands Rule provides land managers with clear, commonsense tools to protect what Americans cherish most about public lands—clean water, abundant wildlife, cultural resources, recreation, and natural beauty. Its repeal dismisses science-based management and undermines the values of millions who depend on these lands for more than just extraction. “Perhaps most troubling is the claim that conservation is not a valid multiple use under BLM’s guiding laws. That is blatantly false. The law explicitly requires that public lands be managed for a range of uses, including watersheds, wildlife habitat, fisheries, and scenic and recreational values—not just for development. Conservation is not a fringe idea; it’s a legal obligation. “America has no shortage of energy resources. What we need is leadership committed to balanced, future-focused land management that serves public access and wildlife—not policy reversals that favor short-term exploitation over long-term stewardship. The Public Lands Rule should remain on the books as a fair, lawful and widely supported guide for managing public lands for generations to come. ### Background on the Public Lands Rule: The Public Lands Rule, which took effect on June 10, 2024, establishes a “framework to ensure healthy landscapes, abundant wildlife habitat, clean water, and balanced decision-making on our nation’s public lands.” BLM’s webpage on the Public Lands Rule. The BLM’s 90-day public process that shaped the final rule was transparent, inclusive, and accessible. Contact: Kris Deutschman, kris@conservationlands.org

Washington, D.C. — Today, the Trump administration took a significant step toward dismantling key protections for America’s public lands by placing several widely supported conservation rules under regulatory review. Among them are the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule (“Public Lands Rule”) and the Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Rule (“Western Arctic Rule”). These safeguards are essential to preserving public access and ecological health across the Western Arctic and the broader western United States. Below is a statement from Chris Hill, CEO of the Conservation Lands Foundation, which represents a national network of community advocates who are solely focused on the public lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, including National Conservation Lands and similar protected public lands in the Western Arctic. “The Public Lands Rule and the Western Arctic Rule reflect what most Americans—across the political spectrum—want: stronger protections for our shared lands, clean water, and wildlife. These rules are grounded in science and robust public involvement. “The Western Arctic is one of the last intact landscapes in the U.S., vital to Indigenous communities and wildlife. The Public Lands Rule helps ensure conservation and recreation are treated on par with energy development. “Despite the administration’s claims, there is no energy crisis—the U.S. is already the world’s top oil and gas producer. What Americans are asking for is balance. These rules deliver that balance, and we are fully prepared to defend them—because the future of our public lands, communities, and climate depends on it.” ### Background on the Public Lands Rule: The Public Lands Rule, which took effect on June 10, 2024, establishes a “framework to ensure healthy landscapes, abundant wildlife habitat, clean water, and balanced decision-making on our nation’s public lands.” BLM’s webpage on the Public Lands Rule.

The BLM's Public Lands Rule (PLR) went into effect June 10, 2024. The PLR aims to ensure the protection and long-term health of public lands by emphasizing conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable land use practices. This landmark decision, if implemented correctly, will balance conservation with other uses like grazing, energy development, and recreation to protect ecosystems while allowing responsible development. Our PLR Workshop provides insight to the Public Lands Rule and how public lands advocates can work with their local BLM field offices to further conservation initiatives like resource management plans (RMPs) and areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs). Our presenters Danielle Murray and myrah rafi'ah beverly (Pew Charitable Trusts) provide valuable insight on the Public Lands Rule and what that means for the future of conservation under the BLM. Danielle delivers an expert-level explanation of the PLR and myrah closes our workshop by exploring ACEC designations and how to submit nominations for new ACEC protections. Our conversation is part of a larger mobilization of environmental organizations. If you have additional questions or need help with strategy, don't hesitate to get in touch with Shi-Lynn Campbell or a representative from CLF for assistance. Resources: Webinar BLM Public Lands Rule Presentation 2024 PEW BLM Rule ACEC Presentation PLR Implementation Toolkit State Specific Slide Decks: CA BLM Rule Powerpoint NV BLM Rule Powerpoint NM BLM PLR Presentation

Anchorage, AK - Today, Conservation Lands Foundation and The Wilderness Society (together, the “Conservation Groups”) filed a motion to intervene to defend the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Public Lands Rule against a lawsuit brought this past summer by the State of Alaska in Alaska federal district court. The Conservation Groups argue that the Public Lands Rule will help modernize the management practices of the BLM and ensure that the agency has the tools to meet future challenges, like growing pressure from climate change, and to restore public lands from the impacts of development. These groups celebrated the finalization of the rule, which was overwhelmingly supported by the public during the comment period, and are now engaging to defend it from attacks. Conservation Lands Foundation and The Wilderness Society are represented by Advocates for the West and Kaplan Kirsch LLP. “It's long past time to turn the page on letting extractive industries control use of our treasured western public lands,” said Todd Tucci, Senior Attorney with Advocates for the West . “In adopting the Public Lands Rule, BLM has pursued a commonsense approach to future land management that includes a greater focus on conservation and meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing climate. Instead of wasting time on this meritless lawsuit, the State of Alaska should help ensure the ecological health and resilience of our public lands by allowing BLM to fulfill its duty to balanced management.” “The State of Alaska is trying to let big fossil fuel, mining, and other development interests decide how we use our natural resources. The BLM Public Lands Rule, meanwhile, seeks the balanced approach prescribed for the agency by Congress almost a half-century ago,” said Alison Flint, Senior Legal Director at The Wilderness Society. “The Wilderness Society has worked for nearly 90 years to defend public lands in Alaska and throughout the Western United States. That requires us to vigorously defend the Public Lands Rule so we can meet the urgent challenges of our changing climate, including protecting Alaska’s unsurpassed wildlife habitat and unique ways of life.” “This lawsuit against the Rule appears to be motivated by a puzzling fear of implementing existing law - the Federal Land Policy and Management Act - and an unwillingness to recognize today’s realities,” said Charlotte Overby, Vice President of Conservation Field Programs at the Conservation Lands Foundation . “This new guidance will improve ecological and climate resilience, and provide the tools managers need to restore habitat from wildfires, erosion and melting permafrost, and other negative impacts. It also keeps important recreation areas – that are local economic engines and subsistence hunting grounds – open and accessible to the public. Supporters of the Public Lands Rule include legal experts, western lawmakers, local elected officials, and governors who participated in a robust public process, and more than 90% of public comments were in support of this sensible Rule.” Today’s legal action comes on the heels of motions to intervene filed by the same conservation groups, along with Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), in two other lawsuits filed by the states of Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, Idaho, and Montana challenging the Public Lands Rule. The Public Lands Rule went into effect in June after a year-long process to engage the public in its development. ###

Groups intervene to block Utah and Wyoming lawsuit against Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule.

Durango, CO - Earlier this week, litigation was filed attempting to undermine the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Public Lands Rule. The states of Utah and Wyoming filed litigation in federal district court in Utah attempting to send the BLM's new rule putting conservation on equal footing with extractive uses like oil and grass drilling and mining back to the drawing board. The Public Lands Rule, brings balance to the management of our public lands and waters in the U.S., and garnered overwhelming support from the public during the Bureau of Land Management’s robust public comment process: 92% of public comments submitted were in support of BLM’s new direction. Statement from Jocelyn Torres, Interim Co-Executive Director at Conservation Lands Foundation: “The Conservation Lands Foundation is disappointed, though not surprised, by the lawsuits from Utah and Wyoming and their misguided attack on our nation’s public lands. The Public Lands Rule has broad support nationwide and throughout western states as it elevates conservation, recreation, and wildlife to be on par with extractive uses at a crucial time in our fight to prevent further climate and biodiversity crises. As families are embarking on summer outdoor adventures visiting public lands and creating lasting memories, it is terrible that those same public lands are under attack. CLF remains steadfast in its commitment to support and defend the Public Lands Rule, ensuring the preservation of our nation’s public lands and all the benefits they provide for our current and future generations." ####

Today the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced its finalization of the Public Lands Rule , a bold, new vision for the future of public lands and waters in the U.S. This new blueprint marks a significant balancing of how the agency is to assess management priorities by putting conservation on equal footing with extractive uses like oil and gas drilling and mining. “The Public Lands Rule is a necessary ‘operating system’ update for the largest federal land manager and reflects the reality that protecting the health of our natural resources is a valuable and essential management strategy,” said Jocelyn Torres, Conservation Lands Foundation’s Co-Interim Executive Director and Chief Conservation Officer. Nearly 40% of all U.S. public lands are stewarded by the Bureau of Land Management and its mission is to manage public lands for multiple uses, a mandate that includes conservation. Yet 90% of these lands are open to extraction and other commodity-driven development. This long-overdue policy changes the way the agency manages public lands, ensuring wildlife habitat and corridors, watersheds, and cultural resources are protected for future generations. Act Now: Thank President Biden, Secretary Haaland, and the Bureau of Land Management for making conservation a priority

Washington, D.C. - Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the agency responsible for overseeing the management and public enjoyment of 245 million acres of lands and waters across the United States, announced its finalization of the Public Lands Rule . This new blueprint marks a significant balancing of how the agency is to assess management priorities by putting conservation on equal footing with extractive uses like oil and gas drilling and mining. “This Public Lands Rule is a necessary ‘operating system’ update for the largest federal land manager and reflects the reality that protecting the health of our natural resources is a valuable and essential management strategy,” said Jocelyn Torres, Conservation Lands Foundation’s co-interim executive director and chief conservation officer. “The Public Lands Rule allows the BLM to better address the growing pressures and impacts on Western communities from climate-related impacts, like wildfires and drought, and increased public demand for recreation and access to nature,” said Torres. “The rule enables the BLM to better use its tools to manage public lands and waterways that are vital ‘connective tissue’ across the western United States and provide critical corridors for wildlife between big wilderness areas and national parks and smaller private, state and county lands. These are also places that support local economies, generating 4.3 million outdoor recreation jobs in the country.” “We thank President Biden, Secretary Haaland and the Bureau of Land Management for recognizing the profound importance of public lands in the U.S. and their role in providing clean air and water, essential habitat for wildlife and plants, cultural continuity for Indigenous communities and abundant recreational opportunities,” said Torres. For almost a century, the agency has largely focused on resource extraction and other multiple uses. The Public Lands Rule received overwhelming public support. During the agency’s 90-day comment period for the draft rule, various stakeholders from recreationists and Tribal communities to ranchers, energy developers, and hunters and anglers weighed in on the proposed policy and 92% of public comments submitted to the agency were in support of the Public Lands Rule. The Public Lands Rule will accelerate the pace of conservation for roughly 53 million acres of public lands currently in active planning and shape how more than 240 million acres of public lands are managed for decades to come. The Conservation Lands Foundation encourages the public to take immediate action by thanking the Biden administration and urging the Bureau of Land Management to act quickly to implement the Rule. The public can learn more by visiting https://www.blm.gov/public-lands-rule and take action here . ###