March 17, 2026 Via Email and Online Public Comment Portal Re: Cumberland Island – Letter of Support for NPS Land Exchange Dear County Commissioners: On behalf of itself, Center for a Sustainable Coast, Center for Biological Diversity, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, and Wild Cumberland, Southern Environmental
125 Groups to Congress: Reject CRA Resolutions That Threaten Grand Staircase–Escalante
The Honorable John Thune Senate Majority Leader The Honorable Mike Johnson Speaker of the House The Honorable Chuck Schumer Senate Minority Leader The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries House Minority Leader RE: Please Oppose Attacks on Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument through the use of the Congressional Review Act (S.J.Res.109/H.J.Res.151) Dear Senators and Members of Congress, On behalf
National Conservation Organizations Urge Mariposa County to Reject Development Near Yosemite
March 5, 2026 Mariposa County Planning Department PO Box 2039 Mariposa, CA 95338 Submitted via email to pl**********@************ty.gov Dear Mariposa County Planning Department, On behalf of National Parks Conservation Association, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and National Wildlife Federation, we submit the following comments regarding Camp Yosemite LLC’s Formal Housing Development Project Application
Former National Park Service Scientist Urges Maryland to Phase Out Lead Ammunition to Protect Wildlife and Public Health
Testimony MD SB 1067 – Hunting – Phase-Out of Lead Ammunition February 27, 2026 Delegate Marc Korman, Chairman House Environment & Transportation Committee 250 Taylor Office Building Annapolis, MD 21401 Re: HB 1067 – Hunting – Phase-Out of Lead Ammunition – FAVORABLE Dear Chairman Korman and Vice Chair Guyton: I am Dr. F. Elaine Leslie, an
Backdoor procedures undermine Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and all public lands
Backdoor procedures undermine Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and all public lands Yesterday, Utah Republicans furthered their efforts to upend the plan that protects Grand Staircase-Escalante’ National Monument. The previous addition to the congressional record of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) opinion stating that Congress can overturn Monument Management Plans opened the door to this action.
Member Op-Ed: Don’t desecrate Big Bend National Park with a border wall we don’t need
As the former superintendent of Big Bend National Park, I spent the capstone years of my career working to protect this remarkable desert landscape. I am appalled that the Department of Homeland Security is now planning to build a completely unnecessary massive border wall through the spectacular river frontage that gives Big Bend its name
Conservation Groups Protest BLM Utah Oil & Gas Lease Sale Over Threats to Old Spanish Trail
Synopsis: Protest of BLM Utah 2026 First Quarter Oil & Gas Lease Sale Environmental Assessment On February 24, 2026, a coalition of conservation organizations and trail advocates submitted a formal protest of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Utah 2026 First Quarter Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale (DOI-BLM-UT-0000-2026-0001-EA).
There’s a better way to visit crowded national parks
There’s a better way to visit crowded national parks Visitors should brace for longer lines and gridlock now that several major parks are rolling back their reservation systems. Here are strategies for a more relaxed summer vacation. By Andrea Sachs When Will Pattiz learned that Yosemite was eliminating its timed-entry system, he experienced a flashback
Member Op-Ed: Yosemite had a reservation system for good reasons, all of which are still valid
Letters: Yosemite had a reservation system for good reasons, all of which are still valid By Don Neubacher Feb 27, 2026 Regarding “Exclusive: How Yosemite superintendent plans to manage crowds without reservation system” (Outdoors, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 21): New Yosemite Superintendent Ray McPadden justified the decision end the day-use reservation system, claiming that traffic congestion affects the
Coalition Urges Public Review and Historic Preservation Safeguards for Proposed White House Ballroom Expansion
ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION – NO HARD COPY TO FOLLOW February 27, 2026 National Capital Planning Commission Subject: White House Modernization Project The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition) represents nearly 5,000 members with more than 50,000 years of national park management and stewardship experience. The Coalition studies, educates, speaks, and acts for the preservation of
Timed entry is out at Arches. Locals and conservationists wonder what’s next
For the first time in four years, Arches National Park won’t require visitors to have a timed-entry reservation. The pilot program began in 2022 in response to overcrowding at the southeast Utah park. Arches’ annual visitation jumped by 73.6% in the previous decade to peak at just over 1.8 million people. A National Park Service
Former National Park Leaders Sound the Alarm on Steve Pearce’s Nomination to Lead Bureau of Land Management
Release Date: February 24, 2026 Media Contact: Emily Thompson Former National Park Leaders Sound the Alarm on Steve Pearce’s Nomination to Lead Bureau of Land Management Washington, DC — Ahead of tomorrow’s hearing on the nomination of Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management, former National Park Service leaders are urging
Conservation Groups Submit Comments on Cumberland Island Visitor Plan
Comments Submitted on Cumberland Island Visitor Use Plan The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), on behalf of 15 conservation organizations, has submitted formal comments on the National Park Service’s proposed Visitor Use Management Plan (VUMP) for Cumberland Island National Seashore. While supporting the Park Service’s goal of providing thoughtful public access, the coalition raises serious
Reservation Systems Protect National Parks for the Future
Reservation Systems Protect National Parks for the Future Today, on Wednesday, February 18, the Trump Administration announced that it would roll back reservation systems at Arches, Glacier, and Yosemite National Parks. These reservation systems have helped to manage visitation during peak seasons, as national park visitation continues to grow every year, hitting a record high
Coalition Urges Careful Review of White House Modernization Plans to Protect Historic Integrity
ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION – NO HARD COPY TO FOLLOW February 18, 2026 U.S. Commission of Fine Arts Subject: White House Modernization Project(s) The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition) represents nearly 5,000 members with more than 45,000 years of national park management experience. The Coalition studies, educates, speaks, and acts for the preservation of America’s
Coalition Files Lawsuit to Challenge Censorship, Erasure of American History and Science at National Parks
Groups Unite to Protect “America’s Largest Classroom” From Unlawful Removal of History and Science from Park Displays BOSTON – A coalition of organizations committed to protecting America’s national parks, preserving and sharing history, promoting scientific literacy and access, and providing high-quality interpretive materials united today to challenge a new U.S. Department of the Interior policy that
National Park Service Director Must Champion Parks
National Park Service Director Must Champion Parks Yesterday, President Donald Trump nominated Mr. Scott Socha, a hotel and food management executive, as the next director of the National Park Service. In response, Emily Thompson, executive director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, released the following statement: “Over the last year, the National Park
Urge BLM to Defer August 2026 Oil & Gas Leasing Near Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Maah Daah Hey Trail
On February 12, 2026, the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the Badlands Conservation Alliance filed scoping comments urging the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to defer key oil and gas lease parcels proposed for the Montana–Dakotas Q3 (August) 2026 lease sale (DOI-BLM-MT-0000-2026-0001-EA). The groups recommend that BLM designate
One Year After the Valentine’s Day Firings, America’s National Parks Remain in Crisis
MEMO To: Interested Parties Fr: Emily Thompson, Coalition To Protect America’s National Parks Re: One year after the Valentine’s Day firings, what we’re seeing at National Parks Dt: February 2026 __________________________________________________________ One year after the Valentine’s Day firings that gutted the National Park Service, our national parks remain on a perilous path and in a
Oppose S. 446: Don’t Strip Big Cypress National Preserve of Its Chance for Wilderness Protection
Oppose S. 446 – A bill to prohibit Big Cypress National Preserve from being designated as wilderness February 3, 2026 Dear Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, and Members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee: On behalf of the undersigned organizations and our millions of members and supporters, we urge you to oppose S.
Protect California’s Coast—No New Offshore Drilling
The Environmental Defense Center (EDC), joined by dozens of environmental, community, and conservation organizations, submitted formal comments opposing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program. The letter explains that the proposed program is premature, legally flawed, and environmentally reckless—particularly its inclusion of offshore California.
144 Organizations Urge Interior Department to Reject Massive Offshore Drilling Expansion
January 23, 2025 Ms. Kelly Hammerle Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (VAM–LD) U.S. Department of Interior 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166-9216 RE: Opposition to New Lease Sales in the Draft Proposed National OCS Oil & Gas Leasing Program from 144 Non-profit organizations (Docket No. BOEM-2025-0483) Dear Secretary Burgum, On behalf of our millions of
Coalition To Protect America’s National Parks: Senate Must Reject House Bill That Would Open Up One Of America’s Most Treasured Landscapes Open To Mining
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Contact: Doug Gordon | do**@***************es.com Coalition To Protect America’s National Parks: Senate Must Reject House Bill That Would Open Up One Of America’s Most Treasured Landscapes Open To Mining Emily Thompson, Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, released the following statement on House passage
154 Organizations Urge Senate to Reject Stevan Pearce Nomination to Lead the Bureau of Land Management Over Public Lands Concerns
January 20, 2026 The Honorable Mike Lee Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources United States Senate 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Martin Heinrich Ranking Member, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources United States Senate 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Re: Oppose the Nomination of Stevan Pearce
Preservation Groups Urge Caution on Proposed Rifle Range Near Appomattox Courthouse Battlefield
Appomattox County Board of Supervisors 333 Court St. Appomattox, VA 24522 Chair Hinkle, Vice-Chair Jones, and members of the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors, We, the below undersigned organizations, write to you today regarding CUP250870, Rifleman’s Resort. We are a collection of national park and battlefield preservation non-profits dedicated to protecting and preserving our