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


** What the government shutdown has cost America's public lands
------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, October 31, 2025
A campground closure notice at Joshua Tree National Park in California during the 2018–2019 government shutdown, National Parks Conservation Association via Flickr ([link removed])

The federal government shutdown has unleashed chaos and uncertainty across the country—including on America’s public lands. Now, at the one-month mark with no end to the shutdown in sight, public lands are experiencing significant impacts, writes Center for Western Priorities Creative Content and Policy Manager Lilly Bock-Brownstein in a new Westwise blog post ([link removed]) .

Despite pleas from hundreds of former National Park Service employees ([link removed]) , Interior Secretary Doug Burgum ordered national parks and other public lands to remain open but severely understaffed ([link removed]) . Meanwhile, the Trump administration is taking extraordinary measures to ensure extractive industries can continue with business as usual on America’s public lands during the shutdown.

The Trump administration is also attempting to leverage the shutdown ([link removed]) as an opportunity for a permanent workforce reduction at public lands agencies and to continue the systematic gutting of America’s public lands system, exacerbating the pressure that public lands agencies already face due to President Donald Trump and Secretary Burgum’s cuts to staffing and funding.

The decisions made during the government shutdown are a preview of the Trump administration’s broader agenda for public lands ([link removed]) and its clear intent to dismantle and ultimately privatize ([link removed]) America’s public lands. The shutdown will eventually end, but the attacks on public lands will persist as long as the Trump administration continues to prioritize the interests of extractive industries over the interests of the American people. Learn more at CWP's Westwise blog ([link removed]) .


** Quick hits
------------------------------------------------------------

Former National Park Service employees urge Grand Canyon closure

Arizona Republic ([link removed])

Trump fossil fuel approvals keep coming despite government shutdown

The Hill ([link removed])

Senate votes to vacate Biden rule on Alaska petroleum reserve

Roll Call ([link removed])

Despite Trump admin’s best efforts, interest in coal mining across the West is falling flat

Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])

The nation's energy dominance falters

High Country News ([link removed])

Feds propose opening up more public lands for cattle grazing in Western states

OPB ([link removed])

Opinion: Colorado must make a stand as the Trump admin wrecks our public lands

Colorado Sun ([link removed])

Fake beaver dams help restore Wyoming wetlands

WyoFile ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
------------------------------------------------------------

” Attacks on our public lands are an attack on our freedom to enjoy them.”

—Jim Ramey, The Wilderness Society, Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Picture This
------------------------------------------------------------

@idahofishandgame ([link removed])
It's Bat Week! 🦇 Bats are frequently misunderstood. They are not the blood-sucking, frightening creatures depicted in movies. In reality, they play a vital role in our ecosystem.

Most bats, including those in Idaho, consume large quantities of insects, such as moths, flies, and mosquitoes. They provide free pest control by eating the insects that harm crops, saving U.S. farmers over $3 billion annually. In Idaho, bats are worth an estimated $313 million dollars annually to farmers.

Fall is a crucial time for bats as they migrate or prepare for hibernation. It’s not uncommon to find a bat roosting on the side of buildings or homes. However, there’s no need to panic; they are often just resting to conserve energy while passing through.

All bats in Idaho are protected nongame species, making it illegal to harm, harass, or kill them. The best way to protect bats is to avoid disturbing them, ensuring they continue to thrive in Idaho’s environment.

Throughout the year, we receive calls from concerned homeowners about bats.

🔗At the link in our bio, learn what you need to do if you see a bat in or outside your home.

============================================================
** Website ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** TikTok ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
Copyright © 2025 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.

Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])