America’s public lands—spanning forests, deserts, rivers, and mountains—are a shared legacy cherished by outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, and everyday citizens alike. But today, millions of acres are under threat as GOP (Grand Old Party) lawmakers continue efforts to privatize or sell off federally managed lands.
Selling off public lands takes away spaces you use for hiking, camping, and enjoying nature. Lawmakers are proposing to sell millions of acres of public land, which could threaten hundreds of thousands of miles of trails, rivers, and wildlife habitats. If these areas become private property, you could lose access to your favorite outdoor activities and see more development and fewer protections for wild places.
Learn more about what’s happening and how you can get involved to help protect the places you love by reading this article and exploring the latest information about public land sell-offs.
How GOP Lawmakers Are Pushing to Privatize Millions of Acres of America’s Public Lands
GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah has been pushing for the measure to include the sale of some federal land, while Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana has been opposing the prospect.
Most Recently as of June 27th 2025, five house representatives went on record to vote down the “Big Beautiful Bill” if it contains the sale of public lands. Reps. Zinke, Newhouse, Simpson, Bentz and Valadao have shown their commitment to our public lands and keeping them public.
Timeline: GOP Efforts to Sell Off Public Lands in 2025
May 22, 2025
House Narrowly Passes H.R. 1 (“One Big Beautiful Bill” Act)
- Vote: 214–215
- Opposition: All Democrats + 2 Republicans (Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio)
- What Happened:
- The House passed a sweeping GOP-led bill that includes major deregulation, tax provisions, and fossil fuel incentives.
- An amendment that would have authorized the sale of public lands in Nevada and Utah was removed before passage.
- Despite the amendment’s removal, other provisions remain that facilitate public land sales to fossil fuel companies.
June 16, 2025
Senate GOP Revives Public Land Sale in H.R. 1 Revision
- What Happened:
- As the Senate rewrites its version of H.R. 1, Republicans revive previously scrapped language to sell public lands in Nevada and Utah.
- A new mandate is added: the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (NFS) must sell millions of acres in 11 Western states.
- GOP lawmakers justify the sales as a solution to housing shortages, but no language guarantees affordable housing or environmental protections.
June 26, 2025
Senate Parliamentarian Blocks Land Sale Provision Under Byrd Rule
- What Happened:
- The Senate Parliamentarian ruled that the public land sale provision in H.R. 1 violates the Byrd Rule, which limits what can be included in reconciliation bills.
- Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) responds by submitting a revised version of the proposal for further review.
- The new draft still seeks to sell up to 1.2 million acres of federal public land
The Importance Of Protecting Public Lands
Public lands offer real benefits for your community, economy, and environment. They give you places to enjoy nature, support jobs, and safeguard important wildlife habitats.
Economic Value Of Public Lands
Public lands boost local economies by attracting millions of visitors each year. National parks, forests, and refuges generate income through tourism, recreation, and outdoor activities. When you visit these areas, you spend money on hotels, restaurants, and outdoor gear. Small businesses, like guides or outfitters, depend on a steady flow of visitors.
According to current data, the United States has about 640 million acres of public federal land. Local economies near these lands benefit from jobs in recreation, conservation, and outdoor services. Selling off public lands could put these jobs and businesses at risk since access and visitor numbers would drop.
A healthy public lands system creates reliable, long-term economic growth instead of short-term gains for developers or industries.
In 2023 and into 2025, GOP-backed bills in Congress—including budget proposals and land management amendments—have included provisions for:
- Selling off or transferring Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service lands
- Opening up millions of acres to oil, gas, and mineral extraction
- Weakening protections for national monuments and wilderness areas
Environmental Benefits Of Land Conservation
Conserving public lands helps protect habitats for many wildlife species. National parks and refuges are home to thousands of plants and animals, some of which are rare or threatened. These areas act like safe zones where wildlife can thrive with less human disturbance.
Public lands also help keep water clean and air fresh. Forests, wetlands, and grasslands store carbon, filter pollutants, and slow down erosion. Without protection, these important systems would be weakened or destroyed by logging, drilling, or other development.
The loss of public lands would mean more harm to at-risk wildlife and fragile natural areas. Serious proposals to sell off large sections of land can trigger long-lasting changes to how lands are managed.
Public Access And Recreational Opportunities
Public lands guarantee you a place to hike, camp, fish, and explore. These lands belong to everyone, not just a few owners or companies. There are 63 national parks and hundreds of forests and refugees across the country. They provide easy, affordable outdoor activities for you and your family.
If public lands are sold or privatized, access restrictions could increase. Activities like hiking, birdwatching, mountain biking, and hunting could be limited or lost. Without public ownership, much of what makes outdoor recreation open and enjoyable would disappear.
Wide access to nature supports mental and physical health. Keeping these lands public ensures you can continue enjoying them for years to come. Proposed land sales in certain states have shown how fast access can be threatened when control shifts to private groups or developers, setting a dangerous precedent for the rest of the nation.
Strategies To Stop Public Land Sell Offs
You have several practical ways to help stop the sell-off of public lands. Action can take place at the government, community, and legal levels.
Policy Advocacy And Legislative Action
You can contact your representatives to urge them to vote against bills that propose selling public lands. Writing letters, making phone calls, or setting up meetings with your elected officials puts pressure on lawmakers to act in your interest.
Staying informed about ongoing legislation is key. Following groups that track public land issues, such as environmental nonprofits, helps you catch proposals early. Some congressional bills try to slip public land sell-offs into larger budget bills, so reading bill summaries and voting records is important.
Join national campaigns or sign petitions organized by trustworthy organizations. When you join your voice with others, you make a bigger impact. Voting in elections for candidates who promise to protect public lands is one of the most direct ways you can influence policy.
Community Engagement And Grassroots Efforts
Grassroots actions involve getting many people in your community involved in the cause. You can start or join a local group dedicated to public lands. Organize public meetings to raise awareness and encourage others to get active.
Hold events such as hikes, cleanups, or rallies. These activities draw attention from local media and make it clear that people care about keeping public lands safe from being sold. Social media is also a powerful tool; sharing posts with facts and calls to action can quickly inform and motivate your wider network.
Being visible and vocal puts pressure on decision makers at every level. Local governments and city councils often take notice when large groups of residents express concerns about public land sales.
Legal Tools For Public Land Defense
The law is one of the strongest protections for public lands. Environmental laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), often require public input and thorough reviews before new policies or sales can happen.
You or groups you support can file lawsuits if legal procedures are not followed. Courts may block land sales that break existing protections. Legal action can be expensive, so partnering with organizations that have resources and legal experience is often helpful.
Public hearings are another useful tool. At these forums, you have the chance to submit comments, ask questions, or present evidence against proposed land sales. Documenting issues and gathering expert testimony can make a real difference in swaying the final decision.
Keep Public Lands in Public Hands
Keeping public lands in public hands means protecting our forests, parks, and open spaces from being sold off or privatized. These lands belong to all of us—and it’s up to us to defend them. Here’s how to contact your state representatives and make your voice heard in the fight to keep our public lands safe and accessible.
Organizations Taking a Stand Against Public Land Sell-Offs
Explore trusted organizations working to protect public lands from being sold or privatized. Learn how you can support their efforts and take action to keep America’s wild places public.
Congress: vote NO on the Senate reconciliation bill | National Parks Conservation Association
Take Action to Protect the Places You Love to Play | Outdoor Alliance
Connect With Environmental Action Groups – Patagonia Action Works
Contacting your States Representative
Dial (202) 224‑3121 — that’s the U.S. Capitol Switchboard.
When you call, a switchboard operator will answer and connect you to the office of any U.S. Senator or Representative you request. You can use this number to:
- Share your opinion on legislation
- Ask questions about policy
- Urge your elected officials to take action
It’s a quick and effective way to make your voice heard
Hit the link to find your representatives and leave them a message;
What to Say to Your State Representative About Protecting Public Lands
A message to your senator
Subject: Vote NO on Selling Public Lands
Dear Senator [Last Name],
I’m asking you to vote NO on any federal budget amendment that would sell off our public lands.
These lands belong to all Americans. They support recreation, wildlife, and local economies—and they should stay public. Selling them off for development or fossil fuel extraction is wrong and short-sighted.
Please protect our public lands. Keep them in public hands.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Your City, State]
Let’s stand together to protect these wild places. Speak up, stay informed, and demand that public lands stay public.
