Public Lands are "Open for Drilling" ft. The Wilderness Society, USDA Reorganization, and FY2026 Budget Updates - Public Lands News (July 21 - 25)
Description
This week in the Outdoor Minimalist public lands news review, we cover:
USDA’s major reorganization plan
What it means for the U.S. Forest Service and wildfire response
How agency relocations and office closures could impact conservation work
Centralization of services like civil rights, tribal affairs, and grants management
H.R. 1 “The Big Ugly Bill” with 🎙️ Guest: Justin Meuse, Government Relations Director for Climate and Energy at The Wilderness Society
How it opens up over 200 million acres of public lands to oil and gas drilling
Federal funding updates
Budget cuts to the National Wildlife Refuge System
EPA enforcement and staffing reductions
Culture war policy in parks
Enactment of proposals to restrict education on climate change, Indigenous history, and LGBTQ+ history in National Parks
State-level conservation wins
Vermont’s wildlife corridor law
Texas’ vote to protect the Fairfield Lake site
New York’s new bird-safe buildings legislation
Virginia’s trail access protections
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Links & Resources:
Wilderness Society: “Open for Drilling” Report (https://www.wilderness.org/articles/press-release/map-reveals-200-million-acres-now-open-oil-and-gas-drilling)
Refuge Association on House Budget Cuts (https://www.refugeassociation.org/press-releases/2025/7/23/house-funding-bill-chips-away-at-national-wildlife-refuges-with-deep-cuts-amp-damaging-riders)
American Bird Conservancy State Legislation Wins (https://abcbirds.org/news/state-legislation-wins-july-2025/)
United States
