NOLS in Action | What Does the New U.S

NOLS IN ACTION What Does the New U.S. Administration Mean for Public Lands?

By Alan Rogers Wyoming Outdoor Council Communications Director

The crown jewels of America’s public lands are, of course, our national parks. In the western United States, icons like Yellowstone and Arches attract millions of visitors per year. But these overcrowded natural wonders are just a small portion of our federal public lands that allow boundless opportunities for outdoor recreation while also sustaining wildlife, sensitive ecosystems, unique geology, and historic and cultural sites—as well as local economies.

In recent years, these values of our public lands have been largely disregarded to promote more oil and gas leasing. Millions of acres were leased for development in a short span of time, including some of our most important wildlife habitat and areas that are far better suited to hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping. The Bureau of Land Management has also quietly eliminated protections for fish and wildlife, cultural sites, and scenic landscapes when revising land use plans.

It goes without saying that the transition to the Biden presidency was dramatic, and the new approach to public lands management is no exception. There are indications the administration will champion reforms to the oil and gas leasing program, which is decades out of date. And in Wyoming and other Western states, the commitment to put people to work fighting climate change will hopefully yield on-the-ground projects to improve access to recreation, mitigate invasive grasses that fuel wildfires and crowd out native plants and wildlife, and reclaim areas previously scarred by development.

That’s not to say there won’t be challenges ahead. For example, it’s likely that under an administration friendly to renewable energy we may see rushed attempts to develop poorly-sited wind and solar projects on public lands.

Here in Wyoming, we have 30 million acres of federal public lands—slightly under

Public lands provide exceptional opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Kirk Rasmussen

half of the state’s total surface. As many NOLS alumni know, this provides amazing opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. In 2019, outdoor recreation added $1.7 billion to Wyoming’s economy, generated $514 million in tax revenue for the state and local communities, and supported 21,000 jobs. None of this is insignificant for a state that is both the least populous in the nation and economically dependent on the declining fossil fuel industry.

Outdoor recreation won’t singlehandedly rescue Wyoming’s economy. But spending time (and money) in the outdoors—and being good stewards of public lands for future generations—can help bring balance to our communities.

Public lands make Wyoming unique, from the peaks of the Wind River Range to the endless expanse of the Northern Red Desert. They’re why millions of people from across the country flock here each year. And they’re why a lucky few, like me, choose to call this special place home.

The Wyoming Outdoor Council is the state’s oldest and largest independent conservation group. Our mission is to defend public lands, wildlife, and clean air and water—and empower citizens to do the same. Join us at www.wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org.

Alan Rogers lives in Casper, Wyoming, where he and his family hike, camp, hunt, and enjoy our public lands. He is the Wyoming Outdoor Council’s communications director.