Episode 23: The Fight for National Trails

The fate of America’s public lands is at a crossroads. With sweeping federal budget cuts, mass job losses at key agencies like the Department of the Interior and the US Department of Agriculture, and a growing push for resource extraction under the banner of economic security, the future of national parks and trails has never felt more uncertain. At the heart of this shift sits a potential deepening of extractive policies that prioritize industry over conservation.

In this episode, Manpreet Kaur Kalra sits down with Courtney Lyons-Garcia, Executive Director of Partnership for the National Trails System, to unpack what these changes mean for the protection and stewardship of America’s most treasured landscapes. We’ll explore how federal funding freezes are impacting nonprofit partners working on the ground, and what this means for how we experience the outdoors. But beyond the threats, we also discuss the paths forward—how Indigenous stewardship efforts are reshaping conservation, what policies we should be keeping a close watch on, and how everyday people can take action to safeguard public lands.

Are we witnessing the systematic dismantling of public lands as we know them? And if so, what will it take to fight back? Tune in for a critical conversation about the intersection of policy, economics, conservation, and the power struggles defining America’s national trails.

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Meet Our Guest

Courtney Lyons-Garcia is the Executive Director of Partnership for the National Trails System. She has been working in partnership with the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service for more than 25 years.  She has served in leadership positions for the Public Lands Alliance and the National Park Friends Alliance.  Her personal mission is to keep public lands in public hands for her children and grandchildren. 

“There are many ways you can help National Trails - contacting Congress, advocating at the local level with counties and cities, or making a donation to Partnership for the National Trails System. It's easy in these times to feel frustrated, but our trails need everyone to step up the fight. Please check our website for more information to learn how you can get involved.”

Partnership for the National Trails System connects, strengthens and amplifies a vibrant network of partners united to preserve, enhance and promote National Historic and Scenic Trails.

Learn More: Legacy Restoration Fund Fact Sheet | 2024 State of the Trails | 2024 Contributions Made by Partner Organizations

Native Lands, National Trails

Native Lands, National Trails is a mapping and research initiative that centers Indigenous perspectives in the stewardship and storytelling of the National Trails System, which spans over 89,000 miles across ancestral lands in the United States. The project was a collaboration between the Bureau of Land Management, Partnership for the National Trails System, Native Land Digital, an Indigenous-led nonprofit that specializes in mapping Indigenous territories; and Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps. While many trail maps have historically honored European settlers and excluded Indigenous territories, NLNT offers an interactive tool that allows users to explore which tribal nations' lands they hike on—helping to reframe trails not just as recreational spaces but also as cultural landscapes.

References Used in the Research of this Episode

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Art of Citizenry is proudly independent. This allows us to speak with raw honesty about the ways people, brands, and organizations perpetuate colonial legacies. Here, we embrace the power of nuance and unfiltered truth, believing that meaningful growth emerges when we face complexity head-on. Support us as we critically explore, challenge, and unravel mainstream narratives by empowering listeners with accessible, nuanced perspectives. Your support directly sustains our podcast, helping cover the wages of our dedicated three-person team. 

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Manpreet Kalra