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.

Daily Montanan, October 3, 2026
A River Runs Through It Act offers hope for the Blackfoot Valley: In a guest commentary carried by Daily Montanan, TWS ‘s Barb Cestero joins local ranchers, recreation leaders and a retired forester in making the case for Rep. Ryan Zinke’s A River Runs Through It Act as the product of more than two decades of local collaboration. The authors write that the proposal came together because people representing conservation, timber, outfitters, hunters and anglers, motorized recreation, local governments and businesses “kept coming back to the table,” eventually finding common ground. They add, “At a time when national politics is increasingly defined by division, the River Runs Through It Act offers a different example: People with competing interests and a shared love of the land staying at the table long enough to find common ground. And to even become friends.” 

Utah Public Radio, September 29, 2026
Public lands in eastern Utah highlight two different conservation strategies: Alexa Young for Utah Public Radio looks at Dinosaur National Monument and the John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area as examples of two different approaches to protecting public lands. TWS’s Charlie Luke says the John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area is “a really good example and a case study… for what can be done in our current environment, especially with the pressure that is being put on a lot of our national monuments.” He adds that its congressionally established protections are especially important given nearby oil and gas development in the Uinta Basin, and says TWS is watching mineral leasing in the area to help ensure those protections remain intact.  

The Worm, September 26, 2026
The Worm highlights TWS lawsuit over Wyoming oil and gas leases: The Worm from Yellowstone Public Radio features Eric Galatas’ reporting on The Wilderness Society’s lawsuit challenging Bureau of Land Management oil and gas leases covering 179 square miles in Wyoming. TWS’s Julia Stuble says the case is about protecting migrating big game and the hunters who rely on them: “Mule deer, elk, antelope, they require undisturbed stopover sites in these corridors for foraging during the long-distance journeys that they take between winter and summer range,” adding that BLM violated its own rules requiring preference for leasing away from crucial habitat. 

Mountain Journal, September 25, 2026
A history runs through it: Zinke public lands bill follows long trail: Robert Chaney for Mountain Journal traces the decades of collaboration behind Rep. Ryan Zinke’s A River Runs Through It Act, including earlier efforts led by former Sen. Jon Tester and longstanding work by local conservation, recreation and timber interests. The story features TWS’s Barb Cestero, who describes the bill’s proposed Nevada Mountain protections as “an important stepping stone in the linkage keeping the Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem connected at landscape scale,” adding that the proposal reflects “surgical decisions based on data and local knowledge” to balance forest health, wildfire concerns and protection of the highest wildlife and wildland values. 

MeatEater Podcast Network, September 24, 2026
MeatEater Rep. Ryan Zinke on the A River Runs Through It Act: In a new episode of The MeatEater Podcast, Steven Rinella sits down with Rep. Ryan Zinke for a wide-ranging conversation about the A River Runs Through It Act and what it takes to find compromise on difficult public lands issues. Zinke points to the coalition behind the bill, noting that “when you have The Wilderness Society in the same room as the snowmobilers, you got the backpackers, you got the outfitters, you got the logging guys, and they all came together and said, you know what? The outdoor experience is different for all of us, but all of us understand the importance of it.” He also specifically cites the participation of TWS’s Tracy Stone-Manning and describes the proposal as a potential model for resolving public lands debates elsewhere in the West. 

The Spokesman Review, September 23, 2026
Roadless Rule comment period extended: Michael Wright for The Spokesman-Review reports that the public comment period on the administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule has been extended to Oct. 6. The story notes that more than 240,000 comments have already been submitted and highlights The Wilderness Society’s warning that repealing the rule would amount to “the single largest attack on national forest protections in U.S. history.” It also points to recent research finding wildfire ignitions are more likely near roads, undercutting claims that opening roadless forests to more roadbuilding is necessary for wildfire management. 

Tuttu Talk, September 23, 2026
Development & caribou: KOTZ’s Tuttu Talk, produced with the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge, devotes its Sept. 23 episode to development pressures facing the Western Arctic Caribou Herd. Starting around the 40-minute mark, TWS’s Tim Fullman, who serves on the Western Arctic Caribou Herd Working Group, joins the conversation to discuss what scientists are learning about caribou movement, how development can affect the herd and the role of the Working Group in bringing together local, Tribal, agency and scientific perspectives around caribou management. 

Public News Service, September 21, 2026
Oil leases on Wyoming big game migration corridors headed to court: Eric Galatas for Public News Service reports on The Wilderness Society and partners’ lawsuit challenging Bureau of Land Management oil and gas leases covering 179 square miles in Wyoming, including key mule deer and pronghorn migration routes. TWS’s Julia Stuble said, “Mule deer, elk, antelope, they require undisturbed stopover sites in these corridors for foraging during the long-distance journeys that they take between winter and summer range,” adding that BLM violated rules requiring preference for leasing away from crucial habitat. Julia also emphasized what Wyoming residents stand to lose: “They want to be able to get out on these lands, enjoy undeveloped landscapes, see healthy populations of big game, be able to hunt the mule deer in the places that they've always hunted them. And be able to pass these lands down to future generations instead of over to industry.” 

KTAR News, September 21, 2026
Poll shows majority of Arizonans are against eliminating national monument lands: Kylie Werner for KTAR reports on new polling conducted by Echelon Insights for The Wilderness Society showing broad opposition among likely Arizona voters to reducing national monument protections or selling off national public lands. The survey found 83% opposed eliminating some national monument lands in Arizona, including 71% of Republicans, 86% of independents and 96% of Democrats; 76% opposed selling off national public lands, and 84% said those lands should remain public and protected while balancing conservation with recreational and economic uses. The poll also found 84% want protections for Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National Monument to remain in place, while 72% said the same of Ironwood Forest National Monument. 

Anchorage Daily News, September 21, 2026
Trump administration takes step to permit open-pit mine off proposed Ambler road: Alex DeMarban for the Anchorage Daily News reports that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has opened the first formal public comment period on the proposed Arctic Mine, a copper and zinc project that would rely on the proposed 211-mile Ambler Road. The story features TWS’s Matt Jackson, who said, “The Arctic Mine and the decisions made here could set the stage for what comes next. The mine and Ambler Road are two pieces of the same massive industrial development. The mine needs the road, and the road is being built solely to serve mines like Arctic.” 

WyoFile/Associated Press, September 15, 2026
Oil and gas leases threaten big game migration routes, lawsuit claims: Angus M. Thuermer Jr. for WyoFile and distributed by the Associated Press, reports on a lawsuit from The Wilderness Society challenging oil and gas leases covering 179 square miles in Wyoming and additional acreage in Colorado. The suit argues the Bureau of Land Management ignored safeguards meant to protect big game migration corridors and other public-land values. TWS's Julia Stuble says, “This administration’s energy dominance agenda shows a flagrant disregard for the rule of law and is trampling on decades-old safeguards that ensure we hand our public lands down to our children, not over to industry.” 

Inside Climate News, September 15, 2026
Latino Conservation Week kicks off at threatened Arizona national monument: Wyatt Myskow for Inside Climate News reports from Ironwood Forest National Monument, where advocates launched Latino Conservation Week by highlighting both the deep connections Latino communities have to public lands and the threats facing the monument from potential mining and development. The story features TWS's Rebecca Perez, who says, “Public lands belong to all of us, not special interests... Yet this summer, the administration virtually eliminated Utah’s Grand Staircase Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments, making them vulnerable to mining and drilling. Once these places are industrialized, they cannot be readily restored … Any effort to undo protections at one national monument is a threat to every national monument”

Summit Daily News, September 15, 2026
Bureau of Land Management nets over $4.8 million in Colorado oil and gas lease sale: Ali Longwell for Summit Daily News reports that the Bureau of Land Management leased more than 14,000 acres across six Colorado counties in its third quarterly oil and gas sale of 2026, part of a sharp increase in parcels offered this year. The story notes that The Wilderness Society joined eight other conservation groups in protesting all 29 parcels over concerns about wildlife habitat, groundwater, lands with wilderness characteristics, public health and other impacts, and highlights TWS’ separate lawsuit challenging the agency’s June lease sales in Colorado and Wyoming.  

Arizona Daily Star, September 15, 2026
Roadless areas in Coronado National Forest could see road building again: Tony Davis for the Arizona Daily Star reports that repealing the Roadless Rule could open more than 350,000 acres in Southern Arizona’s Coronado National Forest, and about 1.2 million acres statewide, to new road building. The story features TWS's Mike Quigley, who says, “Gutting the roadless 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.” It also highlights new TWS research finding wildfire ignitions were lowest in wilderness and roadless areas and highest near roads. 

RE:PUBLIC, September 10, 2026
The next wave of Yosemite overcrowding: Alex Heard for RE:PUBLIC examines a controversial proposed land exchange on Yosemite National Park’s western boundary that could give a private developer direct access to the park for a major new resort. The story places the proposal in a longer history of development pressure around Yosemite, noting that The Wilderness Society joined other conservation groups in opposing a similar effort by a previous owner to secure road access through the park; that challenge ultimately failed in federal court. 

KPAX, September 9, 2026
Rep. Zinke unveils ‘A River Runs Through It Act’ aimed at protecting western Montana land: Emily Brown for KPAX reports on Rep. Ryan Zinke’s introduction of legislation combining the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship and Lincoln Prosperity proposals to guide roughly 430,000 acres in the Blackfoot Valley. The story notes support from The Wilderness Society and features TWS's Barb Cestero saying, “This is what 25 years of refusing to give up on common ground looks like. For a generation, Montanans have kept showing up because the freedom to enjoy these public lands, the responsibility to conserve them and the obligation to pass them on to future generations are bigger than any one disagreement.”     

The Denver Post, September 8, 2026
Forest Service could open much more of Colorado’s public land to motorized vehicles: Elise Schmelzer for The Denver Post reports on the administration’s proposed overhaul of the Forest Service Travel Management Rule, which could open far more of Colorado’s 11.3 million acres of national forest land to motorized use by default. The story features TWS's Dan Hartinger saying, “Travel management sounds anodyne and wonky, but in many ways it’s how visitors are going to experience their national forests.” Dan also warned that increasing road density and motorized use can harm elk, mule deer and bears, create more pressure around wilderness access points, and add to the workload of a Forest Service already struggling with staffing and maintenance backlogs. “Coloradans have, in some ways, a lot of skin in the game because Colorado is home to two of the top 10 most-visited national forests in the country.” 

Colorado Newsline, September 8, 2026
BLM oil and gas leases threaten critical Colorado wildlife corridors, lawsuit says: Chase Woodruff for Colorado Newsline reports on a lawsuit from The Wilderness Society challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s June oil and gas lease sale, which sold more than 134,000 acres of public land in Colorado, much of it in big game habitat and migration corridors. TWS's Adina Nadler says, “Our public lands are not commodities for the oil and gas industry. They are spectacular landscapes that give us the freedom to explore and enjoy the outdoors, while providing essential habitat for wildlife. The administration has flagrantly cast aside these values to appease the oil and gas industry, and we will not stand for it.” 

The Colorado Sun, September 8, 2026
Colorado faces a federal oil and gas leasing fire sale: Mark Jaffe for The Colorado Sun reports that by the end of 2026, roughly 400,000 acres in Colorado will have been offered for oil and gas leasing across six auctions, including roadless areas, wildlife habitat and lands near the Roan Plateau. The story features TWS's Kim Stevens, who says, “It’s not simply a story about oil and gas production. It is a story about the future of public land and whether it will continue to be managed for multiple uses and multiple generations, or managed to serve a single industry.” TWS's Jim Ramey also points to the Roan Plateau as a place that should remain protected, calling this “a moment for a rallying cry around this place.”  

Lewiston Tribune, September 6, 2026
Roadless areas are closer than you may think: Eric Barker for the Lewiston Tribune looks at lesser-known roadless areas in southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon and what could be at stake under the administration’s proposed Roadless Rule repeal. The story features TWS's Josh Hicks warning about the combined effect of more roads: “This is a dangerous combination: more roads and more vehicles increase the risk for more roadside ignitions; wildfires are four times more likely to start near roads than in roadless, intact areas.” Josh also points to Forest Service budget and staffing cuts, calling the changes “a one-two punch to our national forests” at a time when the agency is already stretched thin.

Inside Climate News, September 5, 2026
Error in a recent BLM lease sale has Wyoming residents concerned over new oil and gas rules: Jake Bolster for Inside Climate News reports that the Bureau of Land Management mistakenly used the wrong parcel list in its environmental analysis for a 380,000-acre Wyoming oil and gas lease sale, raising fresh questions about whether the agency has the capacity to manage the administration’s expanded leasing push. The story features TWS's Julia Stuble saying, “The administration is putting fossil fuel companies first, not the local communities or the public interest. There’s gonna be more well pads where we used to enjoy the freedom of open spaces. I don’t think that’s something that most people in Wyoming or across the nation want to see.” Julia also pointed to the agency’s 23% staffing loss and repeated leasing errors, asking, “If you’re seeing a series of mistakes, you have to ask what’s going on at the agency.” 

Alaska Beacon, September 4, 2026
Feds seek to ‘streamline’ Arctic oil permitting, ending environmental studies of individual projects: Yereth Rosen for Alaska Beacon reports on the administration’s proposed rule to eliminate project-by-project environmental reviews in the Western Arctic and require permitting for covered projects in 60 days. The story notes the proposal was requested by the Alaska Oil and Gas Association and quotes TWS’s Matt Jackson saying, “This rule rigs our system for fossil fuel interests by requiring BLM to approve massive oil projects while eliminating the public’s freedom to say ‘No’ to unwanted developments on these shared lands. No company should get a blank check to develop the Western Arctic.” 

Utah Public Radio, September 3, 2026
Environmental groups are suing over downsized national monuments — again: Duck Thurgood for Utah Public Radio reports that The Wilderness Society and other conservation groups are challenging the administration’s move to shrink Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments by more than 90%. The new filings reactivate litigation first brought in 2017 and argue that while the Antiquities Act allows presidents to establish and expand national monuments, it does not give them authority to dismantle protections put in place by their predecessors. TWS is among the plaintiffs represented by Earthjustice in the case.

Future Wild - MeatEater Podcast Network, September 2, 2026
A public lands report card: On MeatEater’s Future Wild podcast, TWS’s Tracy Stone-Manning joins host Mark Kenyon for a wide-ranging “report card” on the state of America’s public lands, covering the Roadless Rule, wilderness protections, travel management, agency dismantling, Alaska development and more. Tracy warns that the administration’s weakening of land management agencies is not simply about efficiency: “There’s only one outcome from the dismantling that they are doing through cuts and through moving the agency out of Washington, D.C. And that is land management agencies that do not work… people will throw up their hands and say, see, the federal government can’t manage these public lands. We need to sell them off. We need to hand them over to the states. That is what this is about.” She also struck an optimistic note, pointing to the broad coalition of hunters, anglers, recreationists and conservationists coming together to defend public lands and arguing that “This is not about red or blue, right? This is about red, white, and blue. This is about our country.”

The Denver Post, September 1, 2026
Coloradans will decide whether to dedicate outdoor gear sales taxes to conservation: Elise Schmelzer for The Denver Post reports that Proposition 137 will appear on Colorado’s November ballot, asking voters whether to dedicate state sales tax revenue from outdoor gear to conservation, wildfire prevention and outdoor access programs. Supporters estimate the measure could generate about $175 million annually without raising taxes, with funding split largely between Great Outdoors Colorado and wildfire mitigation programs, plus smaller investments in outdoor equity and recreation-industry jobs. The Wilderness Society is among the broad coalition of conservation and fire groups supporting the measure.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle, September 1, 2026
Roadless Rule draws hunter, conservationist comments at MeatEater hunting store: Dan Astin for the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports on a public comment event at MeatEater’s Bozeman flagship store that brought together hunters, conservationists and other public lands advocates opposing repeal of the Roadless Rule. The story features TWS’s Barb Cestero saying, “The Roadless Rule is the most important conservation policy that many folks never heard of. It protects some of our best wild backcountry on our national forests, by eliminating new road construction and industrial scale developments.” Barb also emphasized that the rule still gives land managers flexibility to reduce wildfire risk, conduct logging where appropriate and manage both motorized and non-motorized recreation.

RE:PUBLIC, August 31, 2026
What’s the matter with Utah?: Christopher Solomon for RE:PUBLIC examines why Utah has become an epicenter of efforts to transfer, sell or weaken protections for national public lands, even as public opinion across the West moves in the opposite direction. The story features TWS's Michael Carroll, who calls this “the most dangerous time for public lands … in the history of this country” and describes Utah’s push as “a well-funded, well-organized effort that involves all levels of government in the state.” Michael warns that the current phase may be even more dangerous than high-profile sell-off proposals: “I think the more insidious and dangerous phase of this whole fight is where we are right now. I refer to it as death by a thousand cuts.” Pointing to smaller disposal bills that can chip away at longstanding safeguards, he adds, “They’re testing the fences. It’s like Jurassic Park with the velociraptors.”

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.”