Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** As Antiquities Act turns 119, national monuments are in danger
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Monday, June 9, 2025
Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM ([link removed]) .
Sunday marked the 119th anniversary of the Antiquities Act of 1906, the landmark conservation law that has been used by presidents of both parties to protect areas with cultural, historic, or scientific significance as national monuments.
But national monuments face new threats ([link removed]) as the Trump administration seeks to open large swaths of public land for oil and gas drilling ([link removed]) , mining ([link removed]) , logging ([link removed]) , and housing development ([link removed]) , even though 88 percent ([link removed]) of Westerners support keeping existing national monument designations in place.
Tribal nations are speaking out ([link removed]) against the administration's attacks on public lands, including the Navajo Nation, which sent a letter ([link removed]) to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum last month reaffirming the Tribe's commitment to the protection of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah.
Levi Rickert, the editor of Native News Online and a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, wrote ([link removed]) , "On this anniversary of the Antiquities Act, let us remember its purpose: to protect the irreplaceable and ensure that future generations can experience the beauty and significance of our nation's most treasured places."
Center for Western Priorities' Owyhee film wins two regional Emmy awards
At the Northwest Regional Emmy Awards on Saturday, the Center for Western Priorities and Metropolis Media Group took home the regional Emmy awards for Outstanding Cinematography and Outstanding Documentary for Road to 30 Postcards: Owyhee Canyonlands ([link removed]) . Congratulations to Center for Western Priorities' Senior Director of Advocacy Lauren Bogard and Communications Manager Kate Groetzinger, as well as Director A.J. Carter and the team at Metropolis Media Group. Thank you to our partners at Oregon Natural Desert Association and Friends of the Owyhee.
** Quick hits
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'¡No se vende!' Defenders rally for Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
Albuquerque Journal ([link removed])
Trump approves expansion of Montana coal mine despite allegations of cocaine trafficking and fake kidnapping
New York Times ([link removed])
Opinion: As Antiquities Act turns 119, Tribal nations face new threats on sacred sites
Native News Online ([link removed])
People want more Wyoming trails. Lawmakers ponder ways to pay for them.
WyoFile ([link removed])
Video: California Tribe gets back 73 square miles of its ancestral lands taken over 120 years ago
Associated Press ([link removed])
Column: Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' hands public land near iconic Minnesota wilderness to foreign mining company
Public Domain ([link removed])
Interior needs to step up in Colorado River talks, water managers say
E&E News ([link removed])
Long-thwarted efforts to sell public lands see new life under Trump
Stateline ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” Public lands are re-filling. Not only by coming out, but by standing up to protect them—it refills that hope every single time we do that. It re-inspires us to keep at it.”
—New Mexico State Representative Nathan Small, Albuquerque Journal ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@nationalparkservice ([link removed]) and @nationalparkfoundation ([link removed])
In the past, we’ve often told you to take a hike. Not in rude way. Not always. Although we also said, TAKE. A. HIKE! Too much? Why are we yelling? Followed by…take a hike? Well, since it’s National Trails Day, we thought we’d change it up a bit.
Hear us out. Instead of take a hike, how about “Go commune with the trees and get some dirt on your boots!” Not bad.
Or, “Crunch some leaves and outrun the mosquitoes!” That one’s not in the brochure.
Maybe, “Shove off and go…,” umm, that’s more for boating season. We’ll save that for later.
How about: “Go forth with gusto through the wild, leaf-littered trails, to boldly dodge low hanging branches and face off with a steep, dirt-dusted slope that scoffs at your shiny hiking boots, also SQUIRREL……and you haven’t even left the parking lot.”
After further consideration, we decided to go with: Take a hike.
It just feels right. With more than 21,000 combined miles of trails, there are plenty of options to stretch your legs in a national park. Remember, the nearest park might be located behind you or next door.
P.S. Did you know the @nationalparkfoundation ([link removed]) supports numerous projects related to trails and rivers, including funding for restoration, accessibility improvements, and volunteer programs? Learn more at: nationalparks.org
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