President Donald Trump has nominated former U.S. Representative Steve Pearce of New Mexico to run the Bureau of Land Management, the federal agency that oversees 245 million acres of national public lands.
As a congressman, Pearce amassed a lengthy anti-public lands record, co-sponsoring numerous bills that would have undermined the Antiquities Act, made it easier to sell off national public lands, and open national forests to road-building and clear-cutting. He opposed the designation of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in his own congressional district, which is now recognized asa major economic driver for the Las Cruces economy.
“Pearce’s entire political career has been dedicated to blocking Americans’ access to public lands while giving the oil and gas industry free rein to drill and frack anywhere they wanted,” said Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities. New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich serves on the committee that will review Pearce’s nomination and said he will want to know what Pearce thinks about the BLM plan to possibly overturn a Biden-era order that prohibited new oil and gas leasing within a 10-mile buffer area around Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northwestern New Mexico.
Quick hits
Trump nominates former anti-public lands congressman for BLM director
Source NM | Associated Press | New Mexico Political Report | The Hill | E&E News | Reuters
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Quote of the day
When the only question we ask of public lands is what they can do for us economically, we stop asking what they do for us spiritually, socially, and existentially. We begin to forget that value and utility are not always the same.”
—Frank DeSantis Jr., Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
Picture This
Congratulations on a beautiful residency, Georgia & Dave Rowswell!
Selected as the 2025 Artist in Residence, Georgia and Dave traveled across the state on a 10-day road trip, visiting @curtgowdystatepark, @guernseystatepark, @glendostatepark, and @seminoe.state.park.
Their original works from the journey will be on display during the exhibition show and sale at the Wyoming State Museum. Meet the artists, explore the available works for purchase, and have an inside look at the creative process of making art on the road during the opening reception, Friday, November 7, from 4-6 p.m. Entrance is free and open to the public.
The exhibit will be on view following the museum’s hours of Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., through December 19, 2025
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The Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Artist in Residence is a collaborative program between @wyo.state.parks, @wyomingartscouncil, and the @wyomingstatemuseum.
Featured image: 2018 political ad attacking Steve Pearce’s land sell-off record, archived in CWP’s How Public Lands Won the West comp reel