I can't stress how much selling these lands will STILL affect the big, untouchable National Parks.
The land surrounding those parks provides a buffer and habitat for the park's wildlife. You can't have Zion without Grand Escalante National Monument. Or Arches and Canyonlands without Bear's Ears National Monument. Not to mention the Dixie National Forest outside Bryce Canyon or Flathead National Forest outside Glacier. Grand Teton without the Grand Teton National Forest and Wilderness doesn't exist, nor does Yellowstone.
Even when they start talking about relatively remote lands in Nevada, it's still impacting migratory patterns. Destroying any of these habitats WRECKS the neighboring parks. Period.
There is no way to sell any of it piecemeal. And with this administrations attempts to gut science and environmental funding, there won't be anybody to say how much damage has been done after the sale is completed. This is a complete disaster for the park system if it is allowed to happen.
You're absolutely right. This is a very overlooked fact. These lands are deeply interconnected. I've written about this and how it seems this administration's goal is to gut everything but the 63 national parks – making them islands, or museums of the natural world. It's a fundamental lack of understanding or caring about the natural world and its benefits to humanity.
Now the most corrupt administration in American history has put all of its crooked cards on the table. This government of, for and by the wealthiest one percent would rob us of all of our beloved national park sites so that they can loot and pillage these sacred places. This despicable collection of greedy monsters would turn this wonderful land of ours into a trash pit if it meant more for themselves and less for everyone else. That’s how little they think of the rest of us. And they think even less of our democracy. It’s time for all of us to raise our voices and let our congressional representatives know that we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore. It’s time to send TACO and his gang of thieves a message that our country is not for sale anymore to the highest bidder.
This is beyond the pale. I don't understand who in this administration thought this was a good idea. But as you so aptly say Jim, they don't care. This is about achieving their own ends. I don't know how you could see this as anything but evil. If the democrats were halfway intelligent they'd do exactly as you say and force the republicans to relent and protect public lands or shut down the government and be exposed as the corporate looters they are. But I expect Schumer and the gang will blow this opportunity too and the dismantling of the US will continue.
Thanks Henry. You definitely seem to have your finger on the pulse. Americans, and the democrats in the Senate, need to make this their Stalingrad. No more retreat.
This is a noble cause and any American with a pulse can see that. It's a win-win. Either the republicans allow the shutdown for refusing to protect our national treasures or they relent and we get the protections.
Thank you,thank you. I emailed my Senators to add to previous comments about this bill that destroys so many humanitarian services as well. The attack on national treasures to give corporations license to desecrate and decimate our scenic beauty and historical places just to make the greedy executives wealthier, is obscene and abhorrent.
I might open with something like: As a New Yorker and your constituent, I’m urging you in the strongest possible terms: include a rider in the FY2026 budget that blocks the transfer or disposal of our national park sites and public lands. This is a defining moment. These sites belong to the American people, not to the states, not to private interests, not to this administration’s political whims. I’m imploring you to draw the line and refuse to pass any budget without this protection in place. Anything less is a betrayal.
Call the Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121 Senate Subcommittee on National Parks members: Steve Diane’s - R MT, John Barrasso - R WY, Bill Cassidy - R LA, Lisa Murkowski - R AK or your state Senator. Tell them no budget pass without a rider preventing the sale or transfer of public lands
You can call after hours and leave a message. See this post if you want more on using the switchboard
This is devastating. I am currently on the road and have visited Oregon Caves, Lassen and the Redwoods. Later this summer I’ll head for Tuskegee and Little Rock High School to name a few. This is America, this is our history, these places belong to Americans!! The disrespect the GOP continues to show is disgraceful. I will continue to bombard my congressman and senators!
Thanks Eileen. Such great sites you're visiting too. The NPS literally represents the best of what we are as a country. Both in it's stewardship of sites of tragedies and pain and sites of wonder and triumph. It's sick that this administration wants to dispose of them.
This is the Ultimate Corporate Raid on the US Government to strip it of everything valuable and leave We The People in horrendous debt. The money will be tucked away in offshore banks and Bitcoin.
Not a good idea in practice I'm very closely connected to a plains tribe and it and many other tribes are pretty impoverished. My tribe is theoretically run by a Business Council and a Chief's Council, each with different responsibilities. The Business Council in actuality runs the show and are always seeking ways to further tribal children's education, older people's welfare, enhance revenue streams, etc. They are very practical people and business men. There is a danger if the tribe received a large block of lands, the Business Council might elect to sell it or lease it to private interests, whichever option most economically benefited the tribe. I very much doubt they would retain it pristine--to do so would betray their responsibilities to the tribe.
Couldn't agree more. Ever since the Europeans arrived, the lands have been privatized more and more. Tribes, for the most part didn't have private ownership concepts similar to the Europeans since the continent was comparatively sparsely populated there was more than enough for all. But people are people and had the Europeans never arrived, in a few centuries the indigenous population might have expanded to the point where family or clan title or claimed tribal territorial lines might have evolved as they did in Europe and probably along linguistic lines like they did in Europe as well. We'll never know.
Retribution from a very petty individual with perceived thoughts of being "wronged" is laid bare with all of his actions. The decisions over the past 4 months combined with the enthusiastic response from the masses of uneducated testosterone driven many is the undoing of our country......
I live in North Carolina. Can anyone point me at the site(s)at risk here? I’d like to organize some local push back to publicize this disgrace. As the saying goes “All politics are local.”
What if traditional/indigenous cultures contribute to global coherence through daily devotional practices, language, song, dance and design works?
What if these cultural dynamics uphold and sustain vital integrity of a living planet along with songs of dolphins, whales, birds and every living being?
What becomes of this living planet when threads of this intricate weave are torn asunder - bonds broken as cultures vanish and species die ...?
What will it take for us to become aware and mindful to consult with native people to include them in policy making and practical application to be sure all rights and priorities are respected ...?
Ask.
Do you have a home you love, or is this planet just another pit stop on the race track of your life?
Some people love this globe like their own mother - have called it home for thousands of years. In fact, some recognize themselves, and this earth as part of a vast web of life that reaches far beyond the horizons of our world ... a sanctuary of life ... sacred grounds where dreams are born and we, as children of life, are nurtured, and held.
When we desecrate these sacred grounds, we rip that web to shreds - pollute the waters, foul the air, strip once fertile soils bare and dump our garbage everywhere - raping the beloved mother of life, destroying the cherished home.
Is that how you treat your mother?
Is that what you want for your home?
Humans were created to care for this garden planet - not to pollute and destroy it …
For the moment, we still have a choice. That moment will pass. Will we pass with it, or will we choose to heal the wounds and stop the wounding of these treasured grounds?
I talk about the difference between national monuments and national parks in my Public Lands class. Monuments exist at the whim (more or less) of the President. They can be created, modified, or destroyed by one individual. We saw that with Bears Ears in the first Trump term, the changes allowed to the marine monument off Hawaii created by W, which Trump modified to allow more fishing and such.
You're 100% correct that Congress needs to step up. They need to use their authority to protect these places through legislation not executive fiat.
I've re-read this article a few times, and I'm still not sure what, beyond budget cuts, "this" article is about. You refer to all of "this" happening but I have no idea what "this" is. The Bloomberg article seems to have the only context and it's behind a paywall. Hard to take action.
Well that's a head-scratcher. The second line in the article says "The White House is now actively pursuing the disposal of National Park Service sites." The first two definitions of disposal according to Oxford are "the action or process of throwing away or getting rid of something" & "the sale of shares, property, or other assets."
Unfortunately public lands news is severely underreported as this audience well knows. Bloomberg broke the story and seems to be the only publication out there with anything of any substance about this - so I linked them. I know they have a paywall, but I'd rather give people a good source even if it's paywalled.
I can't stress how much selling these lands will STILL affect the big, untouchable National Parks.
The land surrounding those parks provides a buffer and habitat for the park's wildlife. You can't have Zion without Grand Escalante National Monument. Or Arches and Canyonlands without Bear's Ears National Monument. Not to mention the Dixie National Forest outside Bryce Canyon or Flathead National Forest outside Glacier. Grand Teton without the Grand Teton National Forest and Wilderness doesn't exist, nor does Yellowstone.
Even when they start talking about relatively remote lands in Nevada, it's still impacting migratory patterns. Destroying any of these habitats WRECKS the neighboring parks. Period.
There is no way to sell any of it piecemeal. And with this administrations attempts to gut science and environmental funding, there won't be anybody to say how much damage has been done after the sale is completed. This is a complete disaster for the park system if it is allowed to happen.
You're absolutely right. This is a very overlooked fact. These lands are deeply interconnected. I've written about this and how it seems this administration's goal is to gut everything but the 63 national parks – making them islands, or museums of the natural world. It's a fundamental lack of understanding or caring about the natural world and its benefits to humanity.
Now the most corrupt administration in American history has put all of its crooked cards on the table. This government of, for and by the wealthiest one percent would rob us of all of our beloved national park sites so that they can loot and pillage these sacred places. This despicable collection of greedy monsters would turn this wonderful land of ours into a trash pit if it meant more for themselves and less for everyone else. That’s how little they think of the rest of us. And they think even less of our democracy. It’s time for all of us to raise our voices and let our congressional representatives know that we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore. It’s time to send TACO and his gang of thieves a message that our country is not for sale anymore to the highest bidder.
An excellent comment! Couldn't agree more.
This is beyond the pale. I don't understand who in this administration thought this was a good idea. But as you so aptly say Jim, they don't care. This is about achieving their own ends. I don't know how you could see this as anything but evil. If the democrats were halfway intelligent they'd do exactly as you say and force the republicans to relent and protect public lands or shut down the government and be exposed as the corporate looters they are. But I expect Schumer and the gang will blow this opportunity too and the dismantling of the US will continue.
Thanks Henry. You definitely seem to have your finger on the pulse. Americans, and the democrats in the Senate, need to make this their Stalingrad. No more retreat.
This is a noble cause and any American with a pulse can see that. It's a win-win. Either the republicans allow the shutdown for refusing to protect our national treasures or they relent and we get the protections.
Thank you,thank you. I emailed my Senators to add to previous comments about this bill that destroys so many humanitarian services as well. The attack on national treasures to give corporations license to desecrate and decimate our scenic beauty and historical places just to make the greedy executives wealthier, is obscene and abhorrent.
To flood their inboxes, what should my opening line be? I live in New York - Schumer and Gillianbrand.
I might open with something like: As a New Yorker and your constituent, I’m urging you in the strongest possible terms: include a rider in the FY2026 budget that blocks the transfer or disposal of our national park sites and public lands. This is a defining moment. These sites belong to the American people, not to the states, not to private interests, not to this administration’s political whims. I’m imploring you to draw the line and refuse to pass any budget without this protection in place. Anything less is a betrayal.
Done! To Chuck and Kirsten.
Excellent wording and insert "or any other" between 'this' and 'administration's political whims.'
A class action suit brought by the ppl in each state? There’s got to be some way to stop this bastard!
This all boils down to RUSSELL VOUGHT’s vision as written in Project 2025. He controls the our nation’s checkbook & the administration’s agenda
Yes, he's one of the chief architects of this deranged second administration. His wishlist of insane things are all being executed.
Call the Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121 Senate Subcommittee on National Parks members: Steve Diane’s - R MT, John Barrasso - R WY, Bill Cassidy - R LA, Lisa Murkowski - R AK or your state Senator. Tell them no budget pass without a rider preventing the sale or transfer of public lands
You can call after hours and leave a message. See this post if you want more on using the switchboard
https://rgilmartin.substack.com/p/capitol-switchboard
Sorry, it’s Steve Daines of MT
This really disgusts me most than almost anything… I’m furious.
This is devastating. I am currently on the road and have visited Oregon Caves, Lassen and the Redwoods. Later this summer I’ll head for Tuskegee and Little Rock High School to name a few. This is America, this is our history, these places belong to Americans!! The disrespect the GOP continues to show is disgraceful. I will continue to bombard my congressman and senators!
Thanks Eileen. Such great sites you're visiting too. The NPS literally represents the best of what we are as a country. Both in it's stewardship of sites of tragedies and pain and sites of wonder and triumph. It's sick that this administration wants to dispose of them.
This is the Ultimate Corporate Raid on the US Government to strip it of everything valuable and leave We The People in horrendous debt. The money will be tucked away in offshore banks and Bitcoin.
I could support this provided the lands were returned to the native American people.
Not a good idea in practice I'm very closely connected to a plains tribe and it and many other tribes are pretty impoverished. My tribe is theoretically run by a Business Council and a Chief's Council, each with different responsibilities. The Business Council in actuality runs the show and are always seeking ways to further tribal children's education, older people's welfare, enhance revenue streams, etc. They are very practical people and business men. There is a danger if the tribe received a large block of lands, the Business Council might elect to sell it or lease it to private interests, whichever option most economically benefited the tribe. I very much doubt they would retain it pristine--to do so would betray their responsibilities to the tribe.
That saddens me I really would love to see more lands returned to mother. I'm afraid modern man makes for a poor steward.
Couldn't agree more. Ever since the Europeans arrived, the lands have been privatized more and more. Tribes, for the most part didn't have private ownership concepts similar to the Europeans since the continent was comparatively sparsely populated there was more than enough for all. But people are people and had the Europeans never arrived, in a few centuries the indigenous population might have expanded to the point where family or clan title or claimed tribal territorial lines might have evolved as they did in Europe and probably along linguistic lines like they did in Europe as well. We'll never know.
Retribution from a very petty individual with perceived thoughts of being "wronged" is laid bare with all of his actions. The decisions over the past 4 months combined with the enthusiastic response from the masses of uneducated testosterone driven many is the undoing of our country......
I live in North Carolina. Can anyone point me at the site(s)at risk here? I’d like to organize some local push back to publicize this disgrace. As the saying goes “All politics are local.”
At this point they don’t have a list. Burgum only named one in NY and one in ND. But it’s expected to be a lot.
They’re keeping it vague on purpose. Naming specific sites helps generate opposition, which they are trying to avoid until the bill is passed.
What if traditional/indigenous cultures contribute to global coherence through daily devotional practices, language, song, dance and design works?
What if these cultural dynamics uphold and sustain vital integrity of a living planet along with songs of dolphins, whales, birds and every living being?
What becomes of this living planet when threads of this intricate weave are torn asunder - bonds broken as cultures vanish and species die ...?
What will it take for us to become aware and mindful to consult with native people to include them in policy making and practical application to be sure all rights and priorities are respected ...?
Ask.
Do you have a home you love, or is this planet just another pit stop on the race track of your life?
Some people love this globe like their own mother - have called it home for thousands of years. In fact, some recognize themselves, and this earth as part of a vast web of life that reaches far beyond the horizons of our world ... a sanctuary of life ... sacred grounds where dreams are born and we, as children of life, are nurtured, and held.
When we desecrate these sacred grounds, we rip that web to shreds - pollute the waters, foul the air, strip once fertile soils bare and dump our garbage everywhere - raping the beloved mother of life, destroying the cherished home.
Is that how you treat your mother?
Is that what you want for your home?
Humans were created to care for this garden planet - not to pollute and destroy it …
For the moment, we still have a choice. That moment will pass. Will we pass with it, or will we choose to heal the wounds and stop the wounding of these treasured grounds?
I talk about the difference between national monuments and national parks in my Public Lands class. Monuments exist at the whim (more or less) of the President. They can be created, modified, or destroyed by one individual. We saw that with Bears Ears in the first Trump term, the changes allowed to the marine monument off Hawaii created by W, which Trump modified to allow more fishing and such.
You're 100% correct that Congress needs to step up. They need to use their authority to protect these places through legislation not executive fiat.
I've re-read this article a few times, and I'm still not sure what, beyond budget cuts, "this" article is about. You refer to all of "this" happening but I have no idea what "this" is. The Bloomberg article seems to have the only context and it's behind a paywall. Hard to take action.
Well that's a head-scratcher. The second line in the article says "The White House is now actively pursuing the disposal of National Park Service sites." The first two definitions of disposal according to Oxford are "the action or process of throwing away or getting rid of something" & "the sale of shares, property, or other assets."
Unfortunately public lands news is severely underreported as this audience well knows. Bloomberg broke the story and seems to be the only publication out there with anything of any substance about this - so I linked them. I know they have a paywall, but I'd rather give people a good source even if it's paywalled.