The Wilderness Society

In more exciting news! Today, the Bureau of Land Management issued the Record of Decision for its updated Western Solar Plan, which will guide responsible solar energy development on public lands in 11 states across the West. This commits the BLM to engaging with Tribes and community stakeholders – including communities and all who cherish our nation’s public lands – to ensure they have a seat at the table when specific projects undergo environmental review and before decisions are made.

Exciting news!! 🎉 The Senate just passed the EXPLORE Act, a bipartisan recreation package that will improve access to the outdoors for youth, families, people with disabilities, veterans, active-duty service members and people who live in nature-deprived areas. It has now cleared both chambers of Congress and is headed to President Biden’s desk for signature. The EXPLORE Act gets more people outside to enjoy the beauty and benefits of nature! 🌳✨

Some good news! The Department of the Interior announced an estimated $450 million funding opportunity over the next five years for local communities across the country to create new parks and trails or renovate existing parks through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program. ORLP is a national matching grant program designed to bring outdoor access in reach for underserved urban communities who have historically lacked green space. The program helps ensure all communities can enjoy the outdoors and the vast benefits they offer 🌳✨

From the serene lakes of the Midwest to the stormy coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest and the expansive rivers of the South, there are so many places to enjoy one of the most popular activities in the country: fishing. 🎣 Check out our curated list of fishing destinations on public lands and waters that promise to make your outing unforgettable!

Outdoor recreation is a $1.2 trillion industry that supports millions of jobs. The EXPLORE Act will ensure that everyone, including youth, families and veterans, can benefit from the great outdoors. Let's make outdoor recreation more accessible and help power our local economies! Tell the Senate to pass the EXPLORE Act before they head home for the holidays. Click link to send a message!

Across the United States, several states and communities heavily depend on fossil fuels for revenue. Yet, we see an all too familiar pattern regarding who bears the brunt of the industry's challenges and pollution. Like many of the big corporate-led sectors in the U.S.—from housing to agriculture—a fossil fuel-dependent economy disproportionately burdens Black, Latinx, Indigenous and immigrant and industry worker communities. We must transition to renewable energy. But as we make that change, we need to ensure oil and gas workers, who have played such a crucial role in the economy, are not left behind.

Yesterday, President Biden designated the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument in Carlisle, PA. The designation acknowledges the painful and traumatic legacy of the Indian boarding school era and honors the resilience of Indigenous communities and Tribal Nations. For many, this is personal. Starlyn Miller, director of Native Lands Partnerships at The Wilderness Society, shared, “My grandmother, Lida May Konkapot, was one of thousands of Native American children who experienced forced assimilation at the Carlisle School. This national monument acknowledges the intergenerational trauma caused to my family and thousands of others at the hands of the federal Indian boarding school system. I thank the Biden administration for having the strength to own the federal government’s role in this painful past and the courage to create a monument so that no one will forget.”

Today, the Biden administration moved forward a stronger, more protective leasing program for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and announced a second oil and gas lease sale set for January 9—as required by law. This sale is required by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which opened the door to drilling in the refuge. A previous sale, held in the final days of the first Trump administration, didn’t attract major oil companies and the few leases issued were later surrendered by the bidders or canceled due to legal issues. We appreciate the Biden administration taking action to strengthen protections for the refuge's sensitive natural and cultural resources while adhering to this law.

From making polluters pay their fair share to expanding national monuments, 2024 brought us solid conservation wins worth celebrating. We’ll continue fighting for public lands and climate. 💚 💙

“Restoring Kuwohi gives our voice to the voiceless—the land itself—and reaffirms the importance of right relationships with all who call these lands home today to increase stewardship. Ultimately, it’s about creating a world where future generations are born into a society that is more inclusive, supportive and deeply connected to this place they will call home.” Kimberly Smith, EBC citizen and TWS Community Conservation Specialist. Read more about Kuwohi and the importance of restoring Indigenous names and histories on public lands across the United States.