The Wilderness Society in the news

From national headlines to local reporting, discover how The Wilderness Society is shaping conversations about conservation and public lands. Browse recent news coverage, expert commentary and stories highlighting our work to protect wild places, defend the freedom to experience the outdoors and ensure public lands endure for future generations.

The Wild Idea, August 28, 2026
USDA proposes to flip Forest Service Travel Management Rules: In the latest episode of The Wild Line, the show highlights the administration’s proposed overhaul of the Forest Service Travel Management Rule and features TWS’s Dan Hartinger on what the change could mean for public lands users. Dan warns the proposal could create “a dangerous free-for-all of motorized usage on our public lands” and take away people’s freedom to enjoy them safely. “More access in more places is not always better access,” he says, arguing that the current system gives hikers, campers, bikers and off-road vehicle users the freedom to enjoy recreation in their own way without chaos or conflict.  

High Country News / Public Domain, August 26, 2026
Drilling in NPR-A won’t get environmental review under new Interior proposal: Adam Federman for High Country News/Public Domain reports that the Interior Department is preparing to let winter oil and gas exploration in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska move forward without standard environmental review or public input. The story details how seismic surveys, drilling and related infrastructure can affect tundra, polar bears and caribou migration, while the administration simultaneously dismantles other safeguards across the 23-million-acre reserve. TWS’s Matt Jackson is quoted saying, Arctic public lands are being “sacrificed for oil company profits.”

The Seattle Times, August 24, 2026
Keep Roadless Rule that protects U.S. forests from humans: In an editorial, The Seattle Times urges the administration to abandon its effort to repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, arguing that opening protected forests to more roads, logging and development could worsen wildfire risk and damage wildlife habitat and clean water. The editorial features TWS’s Megan Birzell saying, “From an ecological perspective it would be devastating if they built a bunch of roads into these currently roadless places,” and notes her point that nine out of 10 fires are caused by humans. 

Santa Fe New Mexican, August 22, 2026
Protect N.M. forests for future generations: In an op-ed for the Santa Fe New Mexican, TWS’s Michael Casaus argues that repealing the Roadless Rule would amount to “the single largest rollback of public lands conservation in our country’s history,” threatening nearly 1.6 million acres in New Mexico. Michael points to TWS research showing fires in New Mexico are nearly three times more likely to start near roads than in roadless forests, and connects the proposed repeal to broader Forest Service staffing and budget cuts that are already weakening wildfire prevention and response. He closes with a reminder of what’s at stake: “Our national forests belong in our hands, for our benefit. If we don’t protect them now, what type of world will our kids and grandkids inherit?” 

Twin Cities PBS, August 21, 2026
Executive order on BWCA copper-nickel mining: TWS’s Alison Flint joined a panel on Twin Cities PBS’ Almanac to discuss Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order pausing state action on proposed nonferrous mining projects in the Boundary Waters watershed. Alison makes the case that the Boundary Waters is simply too valuable to gamble with, emphasizing the risks mining poses to clean water and the communities and outdoor traditions that depend on it. She argues that Minnesotans should not be asked to accept potentially irreversible harm to one of the country’s most treasured wild places for the private profit of mining companies. 

WyoFile, August 21, 2026
Trump administration plan could bring new roads to pristine woods covering 4% of Wyoming: Angus M. Thuermer Jr. for WyoFile reports that repealing the Roadless Rule could make new roads possible across roughly 2.36 million acres of currently roadless national forest land in Wyoming, with potential consequences for wildlife habitat, quiet recreation and the state’s outdoor economy. The story features TWS’s Julia Stuble, who warns the plan would harm “elk country, trout streams, hunting grounds, and backcountry places that define this state.”  

Salt Lake Tribune, August 20, 2026
Behind closed doors, there are more threats ahead for our public lands: In a Salt Lake Tribune op-ed, TWS’s Charlie Luke argues that the cuts to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante are only one piece of a much broader effort to weaken public lands protections across the West. Charlie points to 37 rules, manuals, executive orders and planning decisions rolled back, weakened or put under review in less than two years, and warns that shortened comment periods, agency changes and policy rollbacks are quietly eroding both protections and the public’s voice. He writes, “These actions have consequences that will fall into the hands of future generations who did not ask for it. The administration is taking something that belongs not just to Utahns, but all people: our public lands, our ability to steward them and our voice in shaping their future.” 

Here and Now, August 20, 2026
Trump moves to repeal rules protecting millions of acres of federal forests: The radio broadcast program Here and Now reports on the administration’s recission of the Roadless Rule interviewing Mike Dombeck (who led Forest Service from 97-01). The program cites TWS research when discussing the role roads play in wildfire ignitions, saying “We saw a study by The Wilderness Society this year that found that over 30 years wildfires were more concentrated in areas within 50 meters of roads.” 

USA Today, August 20, 2026
More than 4M acres of California forests could lose federal protection: Roseann Cattani for the USA TODAY reports that more than 4.4 million acres of California national forest could lose Roadless Rule protections under the administration’s proposed repeal. The story highlights concerns that rescission could open these lands to more logging, mining and road building, with consequences for wildlife habitat, drinking water and recreation. It also cites TWS analysis finding that wildfires are nearly four times more likely to start in forest areas with roads than in roadless areas, challenging the administration’s argument that repeal would reduce wildfire risk. 

Summit Daily, August 19, 2026
Why Colorado wilderness won’t be included in the USDA’s Roadless Rule repeal: Robert Tann for Summit Daily News reports that Colorado’s 4.2 million acres of roadless national forest lands are expected to remain protected under the state’s separate roadless rule, even as the administration moves to repeal the national policy elsewhere. The story features TWS’s Mike Anderson, who says neighboring roadless areas “are really key to protecting a lot of the region’s water supplies and cold water fisheries and big game habitat,” and warns that repeal is “going to be a threat to the enjoyment of the national forests that are all around Colorado.” 

Tucson Sentinel, August 19, 2026
Trump administration again seeks to dismantle Roadless Rule protecting wilderness: Paul Ingram for the Tucson Sentinel reports on the administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which protects nearly 1.2 million acres in Arizona alone. The story features TWS’s Mike Quigley saying, removing the rule would be "the single largest rollback of public land conservation in our nation’s history. Arizona's roadless areas include some the state's most iconic landscapes — safeguarding clean drinking water, protecting wildlife habitat and preserving the freedom to experience pristine public lands. What we protect today will shape what future generations inherit " 

Reuters, August 18, 2026
Trump administration moves to rescind rule that protects millions of forest acres: Leah Douglas for Reuters reports on the administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The story prominently cites TWS research finding that wildfire density is lowest in wilderness and protected forest areas and highest near roads, undercutting the administration’s argument that repeal would reduce fire risk. It also features TWS’s Josh Hicks saying, “Opening our backcountry forests to more roads and development, and therefore more ignitions, is also not a wildfire solution, and never will be.” 

The Spokesman-Review, August 18, 2026
Feds plan to rescind 2001 Roadless Rule protecting 45 million acres of national forest: Michael Wright for The Spokesman-Review reports on the administration’s proposal to eliminate Roadless Rule protections across nearly 45 million acres of national forest, including about 2 million acres in Washington. The story features TWS’s Megan Birzell saying, “Washington has some of the most amazing forests in the world. We must protect our clean water, wildlife and a backcountry that isn’t carved up by roads. The roadless rule ensures that future generations will have the freedom to experience these truly wild places as they are today.” 

The Washington Post, August 18, 2026
Trump seeks to open millions of acres of national forests to roads: Jake Spring for The Washington Post reports on the administration’s proposal to fully repeal the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which protects more than 44 million acres of national forest from most road building and commercial logging. The story features TWS’s Josh Hicks pushing back on the administration’s wildfire rationale, saying, “Opening our backcountry forests to more roads and development, and therefore more ignitions, is also not a wildfire solution, and never will be.” 

Flathead Beacon, August 18, 2026
USDA moves to repeal ‘failed’ Roadless Rule, stripping protections across 44 million acres of national forest: Tristan Scott for the Flathead Beacon reports on the administration’s proposal to fully repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The story prominently features TWS’s Barb Cestero saying, “When overwhelming majorities from across the political spectrum support current prohibitions on building new roads, it’s clear Washington isn’t listening...Montanans want to see these forests conserved for the clean water, habitat, and access to nature they provide.”  

Idaho Capital Sun, August 7, 2026
Wilderness in Idaho, the West is subject to review by Trump administration, Wilderness Society says: Clark Corbin for the Idaho Capital Sun reports on TWS’s new map showing that more than 1 million acres of wilderness and wildlands in Idaho, and more than 200 million acres nationwide, could be affected by the Interior Department’s review of wilderness policies. The story prominently features TWS’s Michael Carroll, who warns that without existing management protections, “you could see wilderness across the West be under threat from potential development, potential road building and the potential handing over to the private sector. There are a lot of things to be concerned with overall within the review.”  

Cowboy State Daily, August 4, 2026 
Judge who tossed oil and gas leases declines to let new case move to Wyoming: Clair McFarland for Cowboy State Daily reports that a federal judge in Montana rejected Wyoming’s request to move a lawsuit challenging BLM oil and gas policies to a Wyoming court. TWS, Montana Wildlife Federation and Defenders of Wildlife argue that BLM’s “permissive approach” to drilling is out of step with the best available science on greater sage-grouse habitat. The same judge previously invalidated more than 1.5 million acres of Wyoming oil and gas leases over sage-grouse concerns, and the new case will continue in Montana. 

Outside, July 31, 2026
The Bears Ears Commission was disbanded. Now, Tribal seals are disappearing from monument signs: Madison Dapcevich for Outside reports that the Bureau of Land Management is removing Tribal seals from Bears Ears National Monument signs after President Trump dissolved the Bears Ears Commission and cut the monument by roughly 90 percent. The story explains that the seals represented the five Tribal Nations whose partnership helped shape the monument. It also cites maps created by Outdoor Alliance using TWS data, showing that the new boundaries exclude more than 500 miles of trails and over 1,200 climbing routes and boulder problems from Bears Ears, along with more than 230 miles of trails and over 100 climbing routes and boulder problems from Grand Staircase-Escalante. 

Sierra Sun Times, July 31, 2026
More than 330 organizations tell Trump administration: America’s national monuments are not for sale: The Sierra Sun Times reports that more than 330 Tribal and Indigenous entities, conservation groups, businesses, faith organizations, veterans and local communities signed a letter opposing any rollback of national monument protections. The letter condemns the cuts to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, warns that weakened protections threaten Tribal sovereignty, public access, wildlife habitat, drinking water and local economies, and argues that these lands should not be handed over to drilling, mining, logging or other industrial interests. TWS is among the signatories calling on the administration to protect national monuments for current and future generations. 

Vail Daily, July 30, 2026
“Taking the public out of public land management”: How local wilderness designation is at risk under potential federal changes: Kate Kampner for the Vail Daily reports on federal actions that could weaken protections for millions of acres of recommended wilderness and other wild public lands, including areas across Eagle County and western Colorado. The story highlights TWS’s concern that these changes could open intact landscapes to more motorized use and development before Congress has a chance to consider permanent protection, with TWS’s Jim Ramey saying, “The Trump administration, looking at all of this, putting it under a microscope, trying to revise it, puts that all at risk. I really hope to not see these things come to fruition and throw our public lands management into relative chaos — you can’t have every single use on every single acre.”  

Utah Public Radio, July 27, 2026
Utah is split over the reduction of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: Colette Czarnecki for Utah Public Radio reports on sharply divided reactions to President Trump’s decision to reduce Grand Staircase-Escalante by 90 percent, contrasting local officials who support the cuts with conservation advocates warning about the consequences for cultural resources, wildlife habitat, recreation and public land management. The story features TWS’s Charlie Luke saying, “These are living landscapes. It’s not vacant land just sitting there waiting to be developed. The monuments protect sacred, tribal homelands, irreplaceable archeological sites, wildlife habitat, and world-renowned recreation opportunities that belong to all Americans.”

Newsweek, July 24, 2026
Map shows national monuments Trump could target next after Bears Ears cuts: Joe Edwards for Newsweek examines seven national monuments that could face renewed threats following President Trump’s drastic reductions of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. The story highlights landscapes across Arizona, California, Oregon and New Mexico that have drawn opposition from Republican lawmakers or extractive industries, and cites TWS’s warning that the administration had reportedly moved to rescind protections for Sáttítla Highlands and Chuckwalla national monuments to advance “economic development and energy production.” 

Idaho Mountain Express, July 22, 2026
Idaho’s public lands should not be sold: In a letter-to-the-editor for the Idaho Mountain Express, TWS’s Rob Mason warns that transferring national public lands to state or local control would saddle Idaho taxpayers with enormous new costs and create pressure to sell the places where people hunt, fish, hike and camp. Citing an estimate that the state could face an $837.7 million burden, Rob argues that “our public lands belong to all Americans and must remain in public hands,” and urges Idahoans to tell Rep. Russ Fulcher that land transfer is a path toward eventual sell-off, not sound management. 

This Green Earth, July 21, 2026
The fight to protect Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante: In this episode of KPCW’s This Green Earth, host Claire Wiley speaks with TWS’s Axie Navas about the fight over Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments and the broader importance of national monument protections. Axie discusses TWS’ history and mission, the need for meaningful Tribal stewardship and consultation, and how monument designations protect cultural resources, wildlife habitat and the public’s freedom to experience these landscapes. She also explains what conservation advocates are doing in response to the recent cuts and how people can stay engaged in efforts to restore protections. 

Deseret News, July 21, 2026
Hundreds protest reductions to 2 Utah monuments: Carter Williams for the Deseret News, reports that hundreds of people gathered across Utah to protest President Trump’s drastic reductions of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. The story highlights widespread concern that the cuts threaten Tribal interests, recreation and nearly 3 million acres of public lands while opening previously protected areas to expanded drilling and mining. It also notes TWS’s protest outside the Department of the Interior, where TWS projected “SOLD” over images of the monuments and called the reductions “one of the largest giveaways of public land protections in U.S. history.”