In the beginning – Theodore Roosevelt [1858-1919] Yosemite Valley, California 1903. John Muir 1838-1914 Commons image.
Underfunded, loved to death, and MAGA threatens the best idea America ever had
Henry Clement, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, August 2023.
By Skip Clement
Preserving public lands has historically garnered broad bipartisan support, reflecting a shared appreciation for these areas across major political parties. Despite this widespread approval, public lands continue to face numerous threats. One significant issue stems from funding; many beloved parks and natural spaces, such as Yellowstone, have become so popular that they risk being “loved to death” due to the sheer volume of visitors. Unfortunately, the infrastructure required to maintain these sites has struggled to keep pace with the growing number of visitors, leading to underfunding and increasing strain on their resources.
Do not judge wilderness preservation solely by recreational benefits but by its intrinsic value and role in shaping our understanding of ourselves and the natural world.
RV trip photos – an Osprey Fishing in Acadia National Park, Maine. Envato image.
Ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree that climate change is real, happening now, and primarily caused by human activity. MAGA says no
In addition, the escalating costs associated with combating and managing wildfires—a problem exacerbated by prolonged drought conditions and a history of fire suppression—pose a substantial risk to our forests and grasslands. The rising urgency of addressing funding shortfalls and infrastructure needs highlights the challenges that even the most popular and celebrated public lands face.
Poling into position to cast – Everglades National Park. Envato image.
The outdoor recreation economy: $1 trillion-3.3% of our GDP. MAGA says privatize
While the bipartisan admiration for public lands is evident, it has not shielded these spaces from attempts to sell or transfer ownership. These lands belong to all Americans and have been the target of proposals threatening their integrity and accessibility. The narrative surrounding the “return” of federal lands to western states falls short, as these states relinquished their claims to federal land as a prerequisite for statehood. The Constitution’s Property Clause designates Congress, rather than the states, as the authority on matters concerning public lands. This ongoing battle to protect our shared heritage requires vigilance and commitment to ensure that future generations can enjoy these invaluable resources.
Male Chinook or King salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in spawning colors. Illustration by Thom Glace.
Sources and further reading
Congressional Research Service, “Federal Lands and Related Resources: Overview and Selected Issues for the 118th Congress,” crsreports.congress.gov.
Dunbar-Ortiz, Roxanne. An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States, Beacon Press, 2014.
Leshy, John D. Our Common Ground: A History of America’s Public Lands, Yale University Press, 2021.
Schweber, Nate. This America of Ours: Bernard and Avis DeVoto and the Forgotten Fight to Save the Wild, HarperCollins, 2022.
Sowards, Adam M. Making America’s Public Lands: The Contes
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