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Jazzari Taylor at tabling event

Public Lands Need More Than Promises. They Need Accountability.

Por Jazzari Taylor

Earlier this spring, Latino Outdoors (LO) wrote that The Future of Public Lands Depends on Us.

Today, that message feels even more urgent. On May 18, 2026, the United States Senate confirmed Steve Pearce as Director of the Bureau of Land Management despite widespread opposition and concerns from conservation organizations, outdoor advocates, Tribal communities, and public lands supporters. The confirmation serves as a reminder that protecting public lands requires us to come together across districts, landscapes, and communities, from the mountains of Southern California to the deserts of the American West, and remain engaged in the decisions that shape their future.

Last month, Latino Outdoors joined partners from the Conservation Lands Foundation and Protect CA Deserts Coalition at a community event in Crestline, California, where we connected with nearly 250 residents, visitors, business owners, and community leaders. Through advocacy activation and outreach, local residents and business owners expressed interest in becoming public lands champions and in participating in future conversations with policymakers. Their message was clear: public lands matter to the communities, economies, and identities of the places they call home.

Crestline, CA (Lake Gregory)

Crestline, CA (Lake Gregory)

From the U.S. Forest Service-managed forests surrounding Lake Arrowhead and Crestline to the Bureau of Land Management deserts that define much of California’s 23rd Congressional District, public lands support tourism, outdoor recreation, local businesses, and quality of life. The San Bernardino National Forest alone attracts nearly 2 million visitors annually and generates approximately $145 million in visitor spending (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, 2020). Together, these mountain and desert landscapes serve as both economic engines and treasured public resources.

That is why accountability matters! Congressman Jay Obernolte (CD23) recently told his constituents, “We need to support the people who keep our parks running and protect this incredible asset for our community.” We agree.

Public lands depend on people, and effective stewardship requires elected leaders who ensure federal agencies remain transparent and responsive to the communities they serve. As the Bureau of Land Management enters a new chapter under  Director Pearce, we encourage Congressman Obernolte and California’s congressional delegation to champion public lands and exercise strong oversight on behalf of the residents, businesses, and communities that depend on them.

“As a local media agency, I support many small businesses in the San Bernardino Mountains communities. My job is to use media to bring them more business. Our local businesses are overwhelmingly unique and charming. Our town is not inundated with chains and strip malls. I see firsthand how our lakes, the expansive trees, and minimal noise / light pollution are a strong draw for tourists. As the manager of The Market at Lake Gregory, which supports +30 vendors, half of our customers are not local. It is so important that we prioritize our natural resources, as they have a direct effect on the success of our local businesses.” – Alex Hancook, Company: Digital Nomad Video

We call on Representative Jay Obernolte to publicly uphold these commitments by cosponsoring H.R. 8523, the Public Lands Workforce Stability Act, to stop the firings and protect the public workers who steward our public lands. At Latino Outdoors, we believe that public lands belong to all of us. Protecting them requires more than appreciation. It requires participation. It requires leadership. And it requires holding decision makers accountable for the choices they make on behalf of current and future generations.

Take Action

  1. Find your Representative and find your Senators.
  2. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to their office.

When you call or write, you can say:

“I’m a constituent from [city or community], and I’m asking you to fully fund our public land agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management.”

“Please protect our public lands from budget cuts, staffing shortages, and efforts that would weaken long-term conservation and public access.”

“Our communities depend on these lands for jobs, recreation, tourism, culture, and connection. I urge you to support strong stewardship and oversight of our public lands.”

At Latino Outdoors, we know that telling our stories is only part of the work. Acting on them and holding our elected officials accountable is how we protect the places that connect us all.

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