Good news for public lands #3
It was looking to be a slow week… and then everything happened all at once! Amidst a flurry of terrible executive orders and announcements aimed at blasting through regulations protecting endangered species and landscapes, there is some good news to be had—especially from just yesterday, Thursday April 10!
As a part of their effort to erase history that doesn’t align with their agenda, the Trump administration has been re-writing informative articles on National Park Park Service websites. I’ve seen this happen first hand, as an NPS source I used to explain the Denali/McKinley controversy has been edited in pretty distinct ways. This week, after a deep-dive investigation by the Washington Post, it was revealed that changes to an NPS article on the Underground Railroad were restored to the pre-Trump status. This included images and references to Harriet Tubman, a name that even grade-school age children can recognize. It’s a truly radical attempt to change the stories of individuals that every American should be able to recognize as a hero.
Just before her confirmation hearing on Thursday, Kathleen Sgamma withdrew her nomination as Trump’s chief of the Bureau of Land Management. The BLM manages 244 millions acres—the most of any federal land agency. Sgamma was a controversial pick to lead the BLM. She was a co-author of the energy section of Project 2025, and had a clear conflict of interest as the president of the Western Energy Alliance, a lobbying group that has worked hard to throw BLM lands wide open for oil and gas leasing. She was often quoted as saying that the “federal government owns too much land” and was opposed in a letter signed by 125 environmental advocacy groups. Due to reporting done by Public Domain, it appears that her withdrawal had nothing to do with the opposition to her nomination, but rather a crack in her loyalty to Trump.
On Wednesday, REI rescinded their controversial approval of Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. Their new CEO, Mary Beth Laughton, appeared in a long (by social media standards) video, making this statement in part:
“Our public lands are under attack. From the gutting of national park staff to expanded threats of drilling or even selling off our public lands, the future of life outdoors has never felt so uncertain. As a community of people who love the outdoors, we have work to do. Before I share how we're going to move forward, I have to address something head on.
Earlier this year, REI signed an outdoor industry letter supporting Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior. We are one of many organizations to sign and did so in an effort to have a seat at the table and continue our outdoor recreation advocacy. Many of you shared your disappointment and your frustration with that decision, and I hear you. Let me be clear. Signing that letter was a mistake. The actions that the administration has taken on public lands are completely at odds with the longstanding values of REI. While this happened before I arrived at the co-op, I'm here today to apologize to our members on behalf of REI, to retract our endorsement of Doug Burgum, and to take full accountability for how we move forward.”
More then just words, it appears that REI is taking action to urge the federal government to protect public lands. Laughton announced that REI was part of a new lobbying coalition, Brands for Public Lands, as part of her announcement.
What do you make of REI’s backtrack on Burgum? Do you find it genuine, or is it just an elaborate PR stunt?
I’m grateful for your readership and believe that goods new from our public lands is part of what will continue to drive us as we defend our natural heritage.
If you want a little extra boost—and to help support my work—you should consider grabbing a copy of my book A Short History of the National Parks: The Southeast. The stories of how our national parks were established will give you encouragement and inspiration to stand strong in their defense.
A Short History of the National Parks: The Southeast
Logging of ancient forests. A polluting oil refinery. Overdevelopment and privatization. These are the threats that prompted the creation of our great Southeastern national parks.
I'll take these small wins. But I'll believe REI if they can truly walk the talk. It's a step in the right direction. They changed their tone, when people and voters spoke up. That just goes to show you our voices and $$ have power. Let's keep up the pressure. We have a lot to protect, national parks, public lands, forests, employees and so much more...Thank you for all the good work you do keeping us informed and providing us with actionable steps where we can make phone calls, emails and show up to protest. #peoplepower
but rei isn’t actually admitting to a mistake. they’re reacting to the pushback. it’s a fake apology.
we don’t have an REI but i wouldn’t shop there with your money. fuck rei.