The Center for Western Priorities’ Keep Parks Public road trip traveled through New Mexico and Arizona over the weekend, making stops with local conservation leaders in Las Cruces and Tucson.
New Mexico’s Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is one of the monuments targeted by the Trump administration for elimination or a reduction in land protection.
“As a business owner, I know firsthand how public lands contribute to our local economy,” said Mesilla, New Mexico Mayor Russell Hernandez. “As a father, I want to ensure my kids and grandkids will always have the same access to New Mexico’s treasured public lands, including Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.”
In Tucson, local and county governments have passed resolutions in support of Ironwood Forest National Monument, another targeted park.
“Public lands aren’t just a backdrop — they are at the core of conservation in Southern Arizona,” said Kate Hotten, co-executive director of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection. “We are so grateful for the strong support of Ironwood Forest National Monument and our other public lands from our community, the Town of Marana, and Pima County, and look forward to similar support from our representatives.”
The Keep Parks Public tour kicked off with a live podcast episode in Denver, and we’ll be recording two more this week, in Salt Lake City on Thursday, August 21st, and in Grand Junction on Friday, August 22nd. RSVP today to join us!
Quick hits
Wyden, conservation advocates denounce Park Service cuts to Crater Lake
California national monument opens Cotoni-Coast Dairies, allowing hiking among the cows
NPR | KION 46 | Santa Cruz Sentinel | Foundation for America’s Public Lands [Press Release]
Opinion: We sometimes disagree, but not on this—selling public lands would ruin Arizona
Congress demands Trump administration account for wildland fire vacancies as Forest Service wants firefighters to work more hours
ProPublica | Government Executive | NPR
Wildland firefighters, unmasked in toxic smoke, are getting sick and dying
Where national parks and public lands stand as Trump administration prepares to privatize
The Roadless Rule explained
As the Great Salt Lake dries up, clouds of dangers dust blow into boomtowns
Quote of the day
Although not subject to the Endangered Species Act, the most endangered species in national parks today is the park ranger. America’s national parks are our country’s crown jewels. These attacks on staffing, science, and history are simply un-American.”
—Bill Wade, Association of National Park Rangers, at the Keep Parks Public press conference in Tucson
Picture This
We made a stop at Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument yesterday to highlight the importance of public lands to New Mexico’s culture and economy.
Thank you to the Mayor of Mesilla, @nuestratierranm, the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce, and the offices of @senatorlujan and @repgabevasquez for joining the campaign to Keep Parks Public!