Tell Congress: Keep Public Lands in Public Hands

From the stunning beaches of Sleeping Bear Dunes to the pristine forests of the Upper Peninsula, Michigan’s public lands are central to who we are. They are where we fish, hike, hunt, camp, and connect with the natural world – and they’re vital to our clean water, wildlife, and economy. 

Across the country, public lands span nearly 640 million acres of forests, wetlands, parks, tundra, and vast open spaces. These areas generate nearly $45 billion in economic output and support hundreds of thousands of jobs, including countless in Michigan’s $12 billion outdoor recreation industry. 

Despite widespread, bipartisan support for protecting these spaces, powerful interests in Congress and the Trump administration continue trying to undermine them. While a dangerous proposal to sell off hundreds of millions of acres of public lands was removed from the July reconciliation bill, the Trump administration and its allies are working to defund the very agencies that manage our lands, roll back bedrock environmental protections, and make it easier for corporations to profit off our shared spaces. 

If they get their way, we could lose access to places that make Michigan and America special – from national forests and wildlife refuges to local trails and recreation areas that belong to all of us. 

Public lands are essential to Michigan’s identity, economy, and future. They protect our Great Lakes and drinking water, provide critical wildlife habitat, and give Michigan families a place to explore, connect, and recharge. We can’t let corporate greed destroy our ability to enjoy them. 

Tell your members of Congress: Keep public lands in public hands →