Arizona Republic (August 15, 2025) by Scott Garlid, Matthew Nelson, Dan Stellar and Don McDowell

As representatives from diverse organizations that depend on public lands, we don’t always agree on every policy or management practice.

But there is one issue we are unequivocally united on: Congress should not be in the business of selling off public lands to the highest bidder.

That’s why we are thrilled that a recent U.S. Senate proposal to mandate the sale of more than a million acres of Bureau of Land Management land across 11 western states has been defeated.

This proposal would have stripped Americans of access to lands larger than Grand Canyon National Park — lands that, once sold, would likely be fenced off, posted and developed, lost forever to the public.

While we celebrate this win, we know the fight is far from over.

Serious threats to public lands continue, including proposals to slash funding for the very programs that provide public access to trails, restore wildlife habitat and support local economies.

These programs are essential to keeping our public lands healthy, accessible and resilient in the face of climate change and growing demand.

The earlier victory was only possible because Americans from all walks of life stepped up. Hunters and anglers, backpackers and hikers, cattle ranchers and farmers, preservationists and conservationists — people from across the political spectrum — took action.

Our four organizations alone sent more than 150,000 messages to congressional leaders urging them to reject the proposal. It was an overwhelming and inspiring display of Americans’ love for public lands.

In Arizona, the lands that were at risk include prime wildlife habitat for elk, mule deer, pronghorn, upland birds and other species. Selling off these parcels would fragment migration pathways and limit access to hunting and fishing — traditions that are central to our state’s identity.

The proposal also threatened the Arizona Trail, our state’s only national scenic trail. This 800-mile route connects deserts, mountains, forests and communities, and is used by thru-hikers, birdwatchers, sportsmen and families alike.

Losing lands surrounding the trail would compromise decades of work by thousands of volunteers who have built and protected this treasured corridor.

Likewise, ranchers are concerned about threats to sell off public lands. If grazing allotments were sold, ranching would become less accessible to families that have been in the business for generations.

If land adjacent or near grazing permits were sold and developed, the additional water users could impact grazing permits. Ranchers depend on these large landscapes, and limiting fragmentation is critical to their operations.

Private landowners also voiced concern.

The Nature Conservancy has long worked with landowners to implement conservation practices and facilitate transparent, community-supported land exchanges. This Senate proposal would have bypassed those processes, cutting the public out of decisions and opening the door to unchecked privatization and development.

Some senators claimed the proposal would help address the affordable housing crisis. Housing affordability is a serious issue. But the bill didn’t require the land to be used for housing at all. The vague language could have easily allowed for luxury homes, data centers or golf courses.

The proposal wasn’t just a threat to our public lands — it was a threat to Arizona’s economy. Outdoor recreation in our state generates more than $14 billion annually and supports 110,000 jobs.

Disposing of public lands would directly undermine that economic engine.

Arizona’s public lands are more than just open spaces — they are the backbone of our culture, economy and way of life. We stand ready to defend them from future proposals, whether they come in the form of legislation or budget cuts.

Our hope is that Arizona congressional leaders continue to listen to the people who live and work closest to these places and uphold the longstanding commitment to stewarding our public lands for the benefit of all Arizonans.

It’s important that this responsibility doesn’t rest with lawmakers alone. It’s up to all of us to stay engaged.

Our voices matter. By letting decisionmakers know that these lands are precious, we can ensure that our shared natural heritage is protected for the future.

 

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