After public backlash to the proposed sale of millions of acres in public land in Western states, the Trump administration appears to have taken a 180-degree turn on land conservation.
The Make America Beautiful Again commission will advise President Donald Trump on conservation of, in Trump's words, America’s “national treasures and natural resources."
“America’s national parks, forests, waterways, and public lands have inspired generations and kindled our Nation’s spirit of exploration,” read a July 3 executive order signed by Trump. “To ensure that the next generation of Americans inherits this same sense of duty and adventure, my Administration will prioritize conserving our great American national parks and outdoor recreation areas.”
Two MABA commission executive orders were signed the day before the federal government’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act became law. The massive tax bill had been set to include the sell-off of over 1.2 million acres of public lands, a large portion of which would have been in Nevada.
The executive orders call for economic development through conservation efforts, but vague details leave out most information on how the economics and conservation will be balanced.
