Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Forced to report to Burgum, Park Police chief quits
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Monday, September 8, 2025
US Park Police Chief Jessica Taylor. Behind: US Park Police mounted patrol, Department of the Interior ([link removed])

Days after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum named himself the direct supervisor of the U.S. Park Police Chief ([link removed]) , the head of the agency abruptly retired from the force ([link removed]) .

Burgum signed the order bypassing the regular chain of command ([link removed]) on August 25th, but the Interior department didn't publish it online until last Thursday. The next day, the Interior department announced that Park Police Chief Jessica Taylor was retiring from the force ([link removed]) and taking a job at the Social Security Administration.

The shakeup at USPP comes as Burgum has made numerous ([link removed]) TV appearances ([link removed]) taking credit for President Donald Trump's militarization of Washington, D.C., while national guard troops have taken over groundskeeping duties ([link removed]) to cover for Burgum's staffing cuts at the National Park Service.

House panel hears call to restore park staff

At Friday's field hearing in Grand Teton National Park, members of the House Natural Resources Committee were warned that the Park Service would be unable to address the growing maintenance backlog ([link removed]) in the parks unless Congress reversed President Trump's staffing cuts.

“We won’t be able to continue this success without the planners, engineers, compliance officers, budget experts, landscape architects, maintenance staff, carpenters and so many more Park Service staff who make it possible for the Great American Outdoors Act to fund the work on the ground,” said Kristen Brengel ([link removed]) with the National Parks Conservation Association.

Grand Teton Superintendent Chip Jenkins fought back tears ([link removed]) as he talked about the value of park employees and community partnerships.

“There’s magic in this place," Jenkins said. “There’s magic in this place because of these people.”


** Quick hits
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Conservation advocates tell Congress to fund park maintenance, protect Land & Water Conservation Fund

WyoFile ([link removed] said.) | Cowboy State Daily ([link removed] said.) | Jackson Hole News & Guide ([link removed]) | Center for Western Priorities ([link removed]) [Statement]

Outdoor groups blast Burgum order undermining conservation fund

Flathead Beacon ([link removed]) | Nevada Current ([link removed]) | TheTravel ([link removed])

LWCF opens access to canyon trail in Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument

Albuquerque Journal ([link removed])

Park Police chief leaves as Burgum plays top TV cop

WTOP ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])

American Prairie buys land from billionaire brothers, restores public access to Montana backcountry

Daily Montanan ([link removed]) | Backpack ([link removed]) | Bozeman Daily Chronicle ([link removed]) | GearJunkie ([link removed])

From Colorado to Utah to Oregon, forest advocates call for action to protect Roadless Rule

TownLift ([link removed]) | KGW ([link removed]) | Vail Daily ([link removed]) [Opinion]

Opinions: Cheers for members of Congress who stand up for public lands

Yakima Herald-Republic ([link removed]) | Arizona Daily Star ([link removed])

'Roomba for the forest' sets precise burns, could be California's next wildfire weapon

Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” America’s parks deserve real leadership from Congress, even if that means telling the White House that they’re on the wrong track.”

—Aaron Weiss, Center for Western Priorities ([link removed])


** Picture This
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[link removed]

@parkdisservice ([link removed])
DOI’s under scrutiny as employee eliminations expose how unprepared we were for fire season - funny how firing qualified folks & cutting funding will do that…🤔

@resistancerangers ([link removed]) gave interviews this spring re: how bad fire season would be. Looking bad, DOI just made a blanket directive: “Hey y’all: get fire qualified!”🚒 Check out the receipts in our post 📑

Buuut… they didn’t remove any of the roadblocks: limited travel policies, hiring freezes, obstacles to having Administratively Determined “emergency” hires, etc…

Fire season was bad for NPS this year, w/ high-profile incidents at Grand Canyon & Black Canyon of the Gunnison. This new training is the latest effort to cover up failures w/ whole saying “we’re trying”🩹

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