Major Environmental and Public Lands Actions from the Trump Administration’s First 100 Days - Public Lands News (April 28 - May 2)

We’ve officially passed the 100-day mark of Trump’s second administration.

In this episode, I break down the sweeping environmental and public lands-related moves made so far, including threats to protections, deregulation, and extractive industry prioritization.

I also recap a leaked Department of Interior draft plan, recent BLM energy project approvals, and a new bipartisan effort in the Senate aimed at extending critical maintenance funding for national parks.

What is Covered:

1. A timeline of major environmental and public lands actions from the Trump administration’s first 100 days

2. The Department of the Interior’s leaked draft plan and what it means for public lands and extractive industries

3. BLM’s recent approvals for oil, gas, solar, and pipeline projects and the backlash from conservation group.

4. A promising bipartisan Senate bill to extend the Legacy Restoration Fund and invest in national parks infrastructure

What's not mentioned: NPS internal communications say that up to 1500 people will be fired in the next two weeks.

Have tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9⁠⁠⁠⁠)

Sources:

BLM Nevada Announces June 2025 Oil & Gas Lease Sale (https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-announces-june-2025-sale-oil-and-gas-leases-nevada)

BLM Approves Elisabeth Solar Project, Arizona (https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-approves-elisabeth-solar-project-yuma-county)

BLM Approves Park Mountain Pipeline, Utah (http://blm.gov/press-release/blm-approves-park-mountain-pipeline)

Outdoor Alliance: America the Beautiful Act Reintroduced (https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/4/30/lawmakers-in-the-senate-reintroduce-the-america-the-beautiful-act)

NPCA: Bipartisan Bill Extends National Park Maintenance Funding (https://www.npca.org/articles/8297-bipartisan-bill-aims-to-extend-critical-national-park-maintenance-funding)

Leaked Draft of DOI Strategic Plan (https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4165462-Leaked-Draft-DOI-Strategic-Plan/)