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Protect Public Lands Digital Toolkit

Republicans in the U.S. Senate are pushing a dangerous provision in their sweeping reconciliation bill that would allow the sale of up to 250 million acres of U.S. public land – the largest proposed public land liquidation in American history. These lands, managed by the federal government for public benefit, include forests, wetlands, grasslands, wildlife habitats, and recreation areas across the country.

If this bill becomes law, oil and gas companies, developers, and other private interests could gain access to lands currently protected for public use and environmental conservation. This isn’t just a threat to Western states – it sets a dangerous precedent that puts all public lands, including those here in Michigan, at risk.

Public lands are essential to our economy, our environment, and our way of life. They support clean water, preserve biodiversity, provide space for recreation and reflection, and play a vital role in fighting climate change. We must stop this sell-off before it becomes law. We need your help to tell the U.S. Senate to protect our public lands, not sell them off to the highest bidder. Explore below for ways you can take action, get involved, and spread the word.

Tell the U.S. Senate: Protect Public Lands →

Take Action

Quick Facts: Why We Must Stop the Public Lands Sell-Off

  • Public lands belong to the people – not polluters. Selling off 250 million acres would strip communities of access to cherished forests, wetlands, and recreation areas for the benefit of fossil fuel companies and developers.
  • This is the largest proposed public land sell-off in American history. Nearly 10% of U.S. land could be privatized – including lands essential for clean air and water, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience.
  • It sets a dangerous precedent for states like Michigan. Even if most of the acreage lies in the West, the move opens the door to future sell-offs nationwide and undermines the value of public land protections everywhere.
  • It’s deeply unpopular. Across the political spectrum, Americans overwhelmingly support keeping public lands public. This proposal ignores the will of the people in favor of corporate interests.
  • We need more protected land, not less. As we face climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice, conserving and expanding public lands must be part of the solution, not tearing protections down.

Actions you can take!

Three things you can do right now to help make the difference

Send

Send an email message to your U.S. senators with this one-click action above →

Share

Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors and get them involved

Post

Spread the word on your social media pages

Call

Call your U.S. senators and urge them to protect our public lands

Sample Email 

Subject: Help protect our public lands

Hi [NAME],

I wanted to share something that really alarmed me: the U.S. Senate is considering a bill that would allow the sale of up to 250 million acres of public land – almost 10% of the entire country. These are the forests, wetlands, and open spaces we all rely on for clean water, wildlife, recreation, and climate protection.

This is the largest proposed public land sell-off in American history – and it could become law unless we speak out. I just sent a message to my senators urging them to stop this and protect our public lands.

Will you join me?

Send your message here → 

Thanks for taking action with me! 

– [YOUR NAME] 

Sample Social Media Content

General Awareness 

Up to 250 MILLION acres of public lands could be sold off under the Senate GOP’s reconciliation bill. That’s 10% of the U.S. landmass – forests, wetlands, and public spaces handed over to polluters. Tell your senators to stop this and protect public lands: [LINK

The Senate reconciliation bill includes the largest public land sell-off in American history. It’s reckless, unpopular, and a direct threat to the places we love. Tell Congress: NO DEAL. [LINK]

Michigan-Focused

Michiganders love our public lands — and we should all be outraged. Trump’s reconciliation bill would let fossil fuel companies buy up 250 million acres of federal land. This affects all of us. Tell your senators to stop the sell-off: [LINK]

Michigan’s forests, rivers, and outdoor economy depend on protected public lands. Trump’s allies want to sell those lands to the highest bidder. Speak out now: [LINK]

Join the movement to protect the Great Lakes state

And we’ll show you two ways to help. Together, we can be a voice for change and protect Michigan’s land, air, water, public health, and democracy.