January 2025 CLiF Notes

In these tumultuous and uncertain times, I’m reminded of Mr. Rogers' timeless advice: "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." Today, I invite you to pause, take a breath, and notice the helpers. 

We've seen these helpers everywhere this month—from communities rallying around Los Angeles residents affected by devastating wildfires to hundreds of advocates braving the snow to join a rally in support of Utah public lands. These acts of community service and solidarity are the fuel that will continue to guide us through the challenges - and opportunities - that lie ahead.

In this CLiF Notes we recap January’s victories for public lands, the new threats that have materialized, and mark the beginning of the year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of the National Conservation Lands system.

We start with Landmark Victories for Public Lands:

Conservation Lands Foundation staff joined our partners in Washington D.C. for the proclamation
signing of the California and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments.

1. President Biden Designates Two California National Monuments

In the final weeks of his administration, President Joe Biden used his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate Chuckwalla National Monument in southern California and Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in northern California, protecting nearly one million acres of public land. 

The impact: These monuments protect sacred Indigenous landscapes and crucial wildlife corridors from development while keeping them open for recreation, ensuring these lands remain accessible for hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing.

Our Take: While these designations mark a significant victory, success depends on proper management. We'll continue fighting for the Bureau of Land Management to receive the resources it needs to engage with Tribes and community members to best care for these monuments.

The Bears Ears National Monument Resource Management Plan marks a new chapter.
Photo: Bears Ears National Monument, Utah | Bureau of Land Management

2. Bears Ears National Monument Plan Makes History

This month, the Bureau of Land Management finalized the plan that guides how the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah will be managed, a historic achievement between the five Tribes of the Bears Ears Commission, federal agencies, and community partners.

The impact: Tribal nations played a central role in shaping how the BLM and U.S. Forest Service will protect sacred sites, cultural resources, and recreation access within the monument. This groundbreaking approach creates a model for how future public lands management can center Indigenous leadership and co-stewardship.

Our Take: Some members of Congress may attempt to overturn this historic plan through an unconventional use of the Congressional Review Act, which provides Congress the ability to overturn recently-enacted federal policies. Such a move would unravel decades of Indigenous leadership and careful collaboration and input among local stakeholders. We're watching closely and stand ready to act.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a State of Utah lawsuit that sought control of public lands.
Photo: Hundreds gathered in Salt Lake City for a pro-public lands rally | Shi-Lynn Campbell

3. Supreme Court Rejects Utah Land-Grab Lawsuit

This month the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a State of Utah lawsuit that would allow states to seize control of thousands of acres of federally-managed public lands. 

The impact: The Utah lawsuit is the latest attempt by a handful of politicians and special interests who want to sell off and develop public lands. If they succeed, millions of acres of the country’s remaining public lands could be lost forever, irrevocably damaging natural ecosystems and Indigenous culture, and shutting the public out from beloved trails, roads, and hunting and fishing access. 

Our Take: The Supreme Court decision is a short-term victory: the plaintiffs have indicated they will proceed in the lower courts and they continue to spend millions of Utah taxpayer dollars on legal and public support campaigns.   

“These lands are not for sale. But let’s remember, they never were. Not today, not ever, not for our future generations.” - Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk, a member of the Ute Mountain Ute tribe and rally speaker

Next are the Emerging Threats

Executive orders could bring new oil and gas development to wild places.
Photo: The trans-Alaska pipeline in the Brooks Range | Dennis R. Green

1. Executive Orders Roll Back Conservation Progress

The new administration's first two weeks brought a wave of executive orders affecting public lands, including opening vulnerable landscapes in Nevada and the Western Arctic to oil and gas development and a hiring freeze to federal agencies including the Bureau of Land Management.

The impact: These orders open sensitive landscapes to development and weaken BLM’s ability to conduct wildfire mitigation, law enforcement, and renewable energy development, as well as ensure safe outdoor recreation opportunities, manage visitor services, and carry out essential restoration work.

Our Take: These executive orders set the stage for an anti-public stance and mayhem for the country’s public lands. We're mobilizing our Friends Network and community partners to aggressively fight back and show the overwhelming nonpartisan support for these public lands. 

2. Congress Takes Aim at Public Lands

The new Congress has launched its own attack on public lands, including introducing a bill to eliminate the president’s authority to designate national monuments under the Antiquities Act and sneaking a land-grab provision into a House rules package.  

The impact: These early moves signal broader Congressional intent to open public lands to privatization and development and undermine landmark conservation tools. Polls continue to show a majority of voters support presidents having the ability to designate national monuments, while people from all political affiliations remain vocal in their support of public lands - the most recent example being hundreds of advocates joining a Public Lands Rally in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Make Your Voice Count: We are joining local and national partners, Tribal Nations, outdoor enthusiasts, and community organizations across the country in a unified national campaign to prevent the privatization of public lands and defend conservation tools like the Antiquities Act. You can help by contacting your member of Congress to urge them to oppose any attempt to dismantle the Antiquities Act through our action portal here. If you’re in Montana, save the date for a Public Lands Rally on February 19 in Helena. 

Make Room for Trail Snacks

🎨  Our Arts and Advocacy grant to Friends Grassroots Network partner, Transition Habitat Conservancy, is bringing nature-based, accessible art opportunities to local communities in the Western Mojave Desert region in California. 

🐏 The Bureau of Land Management, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Wildlife, released twenty bighorn sheep on public land north of Reno to help improve population numbers. Watch their release here.

❄️ Find a moment of zen in the snow-covered Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in New Mexico thanks to photos shared by our FGN partner Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. 

As we celebrate the milestone of 25 years of National Conservation Lands throughout the year, we are also prepared to face the challenges ahead with resolve knowing that our strategies for turning community power into political force is a winning strategy for protecting the places that matter. 

I'm confident that together—as helpers, as defenders, as community—we will succeed.