From 2021 until 2024, while I was Secretary of the Interior, we worked to forge stability, create jobs in a clean energy economy, conserve more lands and waters for future generations, and secure clean air and water for communities in every corner of the country.

We treated everyone with dignity and respect—values that New Mexicans live by. Today, the work we accomplished, alongside conservationists, farmers, ranchers, Tribes, rural communities, and cities is under attack.

In a time of questions and uncertainty in Washington, governors around the country will be on the front lines of defense against this president’s reckless firing of federal workers, massive cuts to services that people rely on, and general chaos. The Trump administration is vigorously defending its actions in court, and if they’re allowed to stand, the harm will only grow.

When wildfires strike, there will now be fewer federal firefighters to put out the flames. Jobs and livelihoods in the outdoor recreation sector are at risk. Families who plan to visit Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, Yellowstone in Wyoming, and other national parks will encounter longer wait times and possibly limited hours.

When folks are looking to gather firewood on national forest lands, they could have a harder time contacting support staff. Veterans who seek solace on our public lands might not have the access they once did. Hunters may notice that their organizations are losing funding, and their hunting grounds slowly disappearing and being sold off to the highest bidder.

I’m running for Governor of New Mexico because leadership matters.

Governors will need to meet this moment with bold and steady leadership, and I will be a Governor who stands up for New Mexicans and the public lands that we love. While I was Secretary of the Interior, we made tremendous strides to address climate change, expand access to public lands, address drought, and manage resources responsibly. This was all done with clear direction and respect for the workforce tasked with implementing our goals. We tried new things and shot for the moon, and we did it all hand-in-hand with the people most impacted.

We created meaningful change because we were a serious agency led by, frankly, serious people. The Interior was one of the largest agencies in the federal government with nearly 70,000 dedicated employees—park rangers, firefighters, climate scientists, biologists, and more. These are the jobs in New Mexico that kids deserve to have when they’re grown.

As I travel around my home state listening to communities, I’m hearing time and again that people are afraid. I’ve met federal workers who were worried about their jobs, seniors anxious about Medicare, veterans concerned about VA services, and families worried about their kids’ schools. Trump and Elon Musk are striking fear into our communities while failing to deliver the things they promised.

Governors have the obligation to protect our communities. I know I will carry the weight of standing up in the face of these attacks, but it’s a weight I will happily carry because I believe in a future where we all share in New Mexico’s bounty and success. It’s a vision that has sometimes been out of reach, but I believe that with my experience, we can change the system to work for the people.

Similar to the way I changed the system at the Department of the Interior by bringing Tribal Nations and local communities in as active participants in stewarding our lands, I will make that a reality for traditional communities and Tribes in New Mexico. I will also collaborate with other governors who recognize the threats posed by this administration and with the state attorney general to pursue legal routes to fight for the protection of our lands. I hope and expect that governors—as chief executives of states—will work together to share and learn from their successes and find opportunities to pursue new solutions. We must recognize the urgency of this moment and lock arms against these very real threats.

As governor, I will make sure New Mexico’s state parks are maintained and accessible, and I’ll work to break down barriers to access these treasures. If the national parks and other federal lands in New Mexico suffer further staffing and resource cuts, I will explore ways for the state to step up and provide support to keep federal lands safe and available. I will continue efforts to recruit and hire federal workers who have lost their jobs so that they can continue to share their valuable skills and training.

I’m running for governor because the experience I gained leading a federal department and working in Congress will help working people. And I will stand alongside all of the governors who will be on the frontlines to protect our beautiful landscapes, outdoor traditions, and natural resources for future generations.

Deb Haaland served as the 54th Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior.

The post Op-Ed: Public Lands Are Under Attack. State Leaders Should Protect them. appeared first on ¹ú²ú³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Online.

Long before I ever became secretary of the interior, I spent many hours on our nation’s public lands. Growing up, I learned from my family the importance of caring for the lands that keep our air clean, our soil fertile, and our water pure. As a single mom struggling to make ends meet, I passed these lessons down to my child, Somáh.

Together, we explored places like the Will Rogers State Historic Park in California. I would pack our snacks and water bottles and we’d set out—stopping to smell sage along the trails. In spite of our humble means, we experienced the wonders of nature that only our public lands could provide.

This Saturday, our nation will celebrate the 30th annual National Public Lands Day. It’s a day that calls us to action: together, we roll up our sleeves and help restore public lands of all kinds. It’s also one of the Department of the Interior’s , meaning that you and your family can experience our country’s national parks, wildlife refuges, or other public lands completely free of charge.

National Public Lands Day reminds us how central public lands are to our national identity. There, we hike, camp, explore, and make memories. When they were 10 years old, Somáh and I hiked Canyon de Chelly National Monument and stayed on the trails until we completed the Junior Ranger workbook. Identifying the trees, flowers, and animals brought our spirits closer to that beautiful landscape; looking out over the towering sandstone mesas and lush green blanket of desert shrubs, we imagined that we stood where our ancestors had.

Our country’s public lands don’t just serve us—they inspire countries around the world to protect the lands and waters that literally give us life and we’re seeing this global commitment to conservation take hold.

Here at home, the Biden-Harris administration takes the commitment to the outdoors to heart through our ongoing . Through locally led collaborative conservation, we’re ensuring more landscapes are protected as part of our shared natural heritage and expanding access to these beautiful places for everyone—no matter where they live or how much or how little they have.

Our actions are bolstered by the historic investments made possible through collaboration. I was proud to vote for the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) during my time in Congress, and today, GAOA is funding projects that restore habitats and make our public lands more accessible to every American.

But this work can’t just be for the here and now—it must outlive us so that future generations reap the benefits of public lands and waters set aside for our shared benefit. That’s why we’re putting resources toward empowering current and future generations of conservationists who can steward these places in perpetuity.

This week, I announced a $15 million commitment from our Department—made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda—that will fund Interior’s youth conservation programs to support our next generation of conservation and climate stewards. This will support projects that restore lands and waters across our public lands while providing essential opportunities for young people to learn critical skills, gain formative experience, and forge career paths that support our future of sustainability. Close to my heart is the Indian Youth Service Corps, which I established to offer Indigenous youth access to culturally informed conservation opportunities that bolster their communities and feed their souls, much like my childhood experiences that shaped my love for the outdoors.

Our work makes a difference in the health and resilience of our public lands, but far-reaching conservation must be a collective goal. This National Public Lands Day, I hope everyone can take the opportunity to enjoy nature—whether it’s for a brisk walk or a day of volunteering. You can find volunteer opportunities near you through our longtime partner, the .

Our public lands embody who we are as a country. They represent freedom and openness, deliver fresh air to breathe, and help us connect with the lands and waters that give us everything. It’s up to each of us to ensure these irreplaceable wonders stay that way.

The post Deb Haaland: Public Lands Represent Freedom and Openness appeared first on ¹ú²ú³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Online.