#ProtectTheParks mobilized in defense of U.S. national parks, monuments, and public lands against privatization, drilling, and development threats.
Bears Ears & Grand Staircase
The movement surged after President Trump’s December 2017 executive order slashing Bears Ears National Monument by 85% (from 1.35 million to 228,000 acres) and Grand Staircase-Escalante by nearly 50%.
Environmental groups, outdoor brands (Patagonia launched “The President Stole Your Land” campaign), and five Native American tribes sued. Biden restored the monuments in 2021.
Zinke’s Tenure
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s 2017-2018 review of 27 national monuments sparked fears of widespread rollbacks:
- Recommended boundary changes to multiple monuments
- Opened Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling
- Reversed ban on lead ammunition in parks
Public Lands Under Threat
Oil & gas leasing:
- 2017-2020: Over 15 million acres of public land leased for drilling
- Arctic drilling permits despite climate concerns
Monument reductions proposed:
- Cascade-Siskiyou (Oregon)
- Gold Butte (Nevada)
- Northeast Canyons & Seamounts (Atlantic Ocean)
Outdoor Industry Revolt
Major brands mobilized:
- Patagonia: Donated $10 million in tax cuts to environmental groups
- REI: #OptOutside became conservation advocacy platform
- The North Face, Arc’teryx: Joined campaigns, lobbying efforts
Outdoor Retailer Show moved from Utah (2018) after state’s anti-monument stance.
National Park Week Protests
The hashtag peaked during National Park Week (April) annually 2017-2020:
- Vigils at park entrances
- Social media floods highlighting threatened areas
- Volunteer cleanups (especially during 2018-2019 government shutdown)
Government Shutdown (2018-2019)
The 35-day shutdown (Dec 2018 - Jan 2019) left parks understaffed:
- Trash overflowing, human waste accumulating
- Illegal off-roading, vandalism, tree-cutting
- Joshua Tree National Park: Irreparable damage to ancient trees
- Volunteers organized cleanup efforts under #ProtectTheParks
Biden-Era Restoration
2021-2023 saw reversals:
- Bears Ears, Grand Staircase restored to original sizes
- Antiquities Act used to create new monuments (Camp Hale, Avi Kwa Ame)
- 30x30 goal: Conserve 30% of U.S. lands/waters by 2030
Ongoing Threats
- Mining claims near Grand Canyon (uranium)
- Border wall construction through Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Funding shortfalls ($12 billion maintenance backlog pre-pandemic)
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