Why We Need to Speak Up for Public Lands—Now More Than Ever

If you care about access to the outdoors—for recreation, reflection, or healing—it’s time to pay attention to what’s happening in Congress. Right now, several bills threaten the future of our public lands, while others offer hope. And the difference between whether they pass or not comes down to people like us showing up, speaking out, and reminding our representatives that public land belongs to the public.

Three recent bills raise red flags for anyone who values shared access to natural spaces:

The Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act would limit a president’s ability to designate national monuments under the Antiquities Act. That sounds like a check on executive power, but in reality, it undercuts one of the few tools used to protect culturally and ecologically important landscapes—especially when Congress drags its feet.

Then there’s the Productive Public Lands Act, which aims to prioritize extractive uses like logging and grazing. It’s framed as a way to make public lands “work for us,” but let’s be clear: it redefines productivity in terms of short-term profit, not long-term public benefit.

The Mining Regulatory Clarity Act is another dangerous one. It gives mining companies even more access and fewer restrictions, making it easier for them to exploit land that should be protected. This bill would weaken existing safeguards and make it harder for land agencies to deny mining claims—even in sensitive ecosystems or near recreation areas.

But here’s the thing: public pressure can make a difference. A powerful example came recently in Nevada, where a proposal in the House reconciliation bill would have allowed thousands of acres of public land to be sold off for development. People across the country raised their voices—individuals, advocacy groups, and local communities. That vocal opposition led to the provision being removed. It’s proof that when we speak up, we can stop bad policy in its tracks.

There are also good bills out there that deserve our support. The Keep Public Lands in Public Hands Act is straightforward—it would block efforts to transfer public land to private or state ownership. The Protect Our Parks and Save Our Forests Act strengthens protections for urban parks and old-growth forests—two critical areas for climate resilience and equitable access.

Public lands aren’t just for sightseeing or backpacking. For people with disabilities, they’re vital places for independence, connection, and well-being. But that only works if those lands are protected and thoughtfully managed. If areas are sold off or handed over to private interests, accessibility efforts stall. There’s no trailhead to improve, no beach to make wheelchair-accessible, no boardwalk to maintain—because the land is gone.

The bottom line? Public lands are under threat, but they’re also a source of incredible possibility—if we fight for them. Call your representatives. Share about these bills with your communities. Support organizations that defend access and conservation. We can’t take these places for granted.

Because once land is sold or stripped, we don’t get it back.