National parks and public lands tell us who we are - and remind us of how we fit into the grander scheme of things. They give people the chance to connect with the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, create jobs and fuel economic growth, and preserve vital historical and cultural landmarks. But despite their broad, bipartisan popularity, Republicans appear determined to dismantle our parks and auction off our natural history to the highest bidder. Back in February, the administration began gutting the National Park Service—firing over a thousand employees. And the destruction hasn’t stopped. At the center of this assault is Trump’s barbaric megabill that guts a wide variety of crucial programs. The version that recently passed the Senate further slashes the National Parks Service budget and opens public lands to private development and fossil fuel development… all to help fund tax cuts for billionaires. This week, Stacey sits down with former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who walks us through the rich history of public lands as cultural and historical resources and the devastating impact these proposed cuts could have. Then, conservation activist and Outdoor Afro founder Rue Mapp joins the conversation to share the importance of public lands for all of us, including marginalized communities who do not always have access to the outdoors, how we can protect these lands, and how we fight to keep them public. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Note: Our interviews this week were recorded before the budget bill was signed into law. 

Learn & Do More:

1. BE CURIOUS: No matter where you live, you’re probably near a place that is part of our network of public lands. Get curious about what’s in your neighborhood, and look beyond just the National Parks. National Historic Sites, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, and National Monuments are all managed by our federal government in trust for the public. There are city, state and tribal managed lands too. Go visit these places and inform yourself about their history. And stay up to date with local news to inform yourself about what’s happening with public lands near you.
2. SOLVE PROBLEMS: Our local, state, and national representatives are always making decisions about our public spaces. There are often open rounds of public comment when changes are being made, so make your voice heard and let local leaders know what you think. And call your members of Congress to let them know what you think of cuts to the National Parks Service and other land bureaus. Let them know you want to see these places conserved, not exploited.
3. DO GOOD: Donate to organizations doing the work to advocate for the protection of our parks and lands, and who tell an inclusive story about who the public lands are for. You can donate to The Wilderness Society at act.wilderness.org and the National Parks Conservation Association at support.npca.org. Organizations like these advocate for strong environmental policies, fight legal battles to stop destructive development, and work to ensure public lands stay public. You can also support Rue Mapp’s work connecting marginalized people with natural spaces, in this critical time of political upheaval. Find Outdoor Afro at https://outdoorafro.org/donate