We Need Balanced Management of Our Public Lands
As sportswomen, we know how lucky we are in this country to have access to expansive public lands and wildlife. Mule deer, pronghorn, grouse, and elk roam these lands in abundance and provide ample hunting opportunities. Much of this wildlife habitat is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, which is tasked with managing the land for multiple uses.
Unfortunately in recent years, the agency has prioritized energy development above all other uses. They call it “energy dominance” and it threatens the survival of wildlife and our sporting traditions. In 2017 alone, more than 11 million acres of land was offered for lease. That’s almost double the amount that had ever been offered before in a single year.
What’s most troubling is that often the oil and gas leases are sold on lands that have little or no potential for oil and gas development and at rock bottom prices. Sometimes they are sold for as little as $1.50 an acre in an unfair practice called noncompetitive leasing. This outdated practice jeopardizes the health of our wildlife, our lands and our waters.
Act and Share the Conservation Message
There are simple ways to help end the mismanagement of our public lands. It’s as easy as clicking here to write your senators, asking them to support legislation that will end noncompetitive leasing.
Or clicking here to write Interior Secretary David Bernhardt asking him to reverse damaging decisions made by William Perry Pendley when he illegally served as the head of the Bureau of Land Management.
Hope For the Future of Public Lands
There is hope on the horizon that irresponsible energy development can be stopped. But we need to hear from you! We’d love to have you join the Artemis community to elevate the conservation message and speak out against problematic oil and gas development on our public lands.
Artemis is an initiative of the National Wildlife Federation that brings sportswomen together to learn new skills, share stories, and give you the tools you need to advocate effectively for our sporting interests.
And there are plenty of other ways to engage, from writing an op-ed for your newspaper or promoting Artemis stories and podcasts on social media.
Please join us as we lead the conservation movement into a bright new future where we restore and enhance fish and wildlife populations and protect our cherished public lands and sporting traditions.
