Public Lands/Wilderness / Public News Service

Wildfires in the western United States have burned more than 1.3 million acres of vegetation so far in 2024. Officials warn flooding is a serious danger in the burn scars left by the blazes after the flames are out. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Dangerous floods loom following Montana wildfires

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has issued flood alerts following wildfires burning huge swaths of the state. Floods …

New EPA rules on tailpipe pollution are expected to lead to $62 billion in reduced annual fuel costs, and maintenance and repair costs for drivers. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, July 25, 2024

EPA clean-car standards projected to bring $100B annual benefits

Clean-air advocates in Colorado are celebrating new EPA standards, which they believe can play a major role in reducing air pollution impacting …

Those selected for the new Forest Corps must be prepared to handle hiking long distances while carrying a heavy backpack, traverse uneven terrain and be able to complete labor-intensive outdoor projects. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Forest Corps battles wildfire crisis, gets Utah's young people involved

The federal government is looking to combat the climate crisis and protect public lands in Utah and around the country by empowering young adults…

Colorado has been a leader in prioritizing intact habitat and migration corridor conservation, most recently through an executive order by Gov. Jared Polis and in new guidelines for the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

BLM moves to sync oil and gas management with state big-game protections

The federal Bureau of Land Management has published a new plan for managing public lands which will put oil and gas management in sync with Colorado's…

The first time ever sale of federal public land in Nevada would be used for an affordable housing development near Las Vegas. (Paul/AdobeStock)

Nevada gets OK to sell federal public lands for affordable housing

Environmentalists said a first time ever federal decision to allow the sale of a small parcel of national public land in Nevada is an example of "care…

An outdoor coalition is fighting plans for a $4 billion copper mine on land near Sheep Creek, which feeds the iconic Smith River. (Miranda Hernandez)

Coalition: Mine threatens Montana's iconic Smith River

Nearly 10,000 Montanans have petitioned the U.S. Forest Service to prevent mining activity in the iconic Smith River watershed. The Smith is known …

Giant sequoia and other conifers were incinerated in the 2020 Castle

Report: CA giant sequoia groves in peril after megafires

Two new studies find that without sustained intervention, California may permanently lose big sections of old-growth giant sequoia groves. The …

The Johnston Ridge Observatory at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is among the latest projects to receive improvement funds. (Francisco/Adobe Stock)

Feds send $27 million to improve recreation at NW forests

More than $27 million is coming to upgrade forests in the Northwest for recreation. The investment is the latest round of funding from the Great …

The lodge at Multnomah Falls is among the latest projects to receive improvement funds. (Steve/Adobe Stock)

Recreation upgrades coming to NW Forests

More than $27 million is coming to upgrade forests in the Northwest for recreation. The investment is the latest round of funding from the Great …

New Mexico is home to 22.9 million acres of public lands, including the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. (MarthaMarks/Adobe Stock)

First win-win for affordable housing, public lands

Environmentalists are applauding a Bureau of Land Management decision to allow the sale of a small national public land parcel for an affordable housi…

Tenth Circuit Court expected to decide on public lands access

A court is soon expected to decide a Wyoming case between hunters and landowners which could affect public land access. When a group from Missouri …

The Black Swamp Conservancy has grown to protect more than 175 properties since 1997, covering more than 21,000 acres. (Linda/Adobe Stock)

Grants boost environmental education and restoration in Ohio

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $271,000 in grants for environmental education projects across the state. The programs will …

Red areas on the map show regions more likely to have wildfires. (Wildfire Risk to Communities)

New map reveals high wildfire risks for Florida amid heat wave

By Claire Carlson for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Florida News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collabo…

The Wind River Canyon corridor is part of U.S. Route 20, the longest highway in the country, which spans 2,542 miles from Boston, Massachusetts to Newport, Oregon, according to the Federal Highway Administration. (Rita Robinson/Adobe Stock)

WYDOT gets grant for Wind River Canyon corridor study

Wyoming's Wind River Canyon corridor turns 100 years old this year, and federal grant money will soon support a study on potential improvements…

The Pilot Butte Wild Horse scenic loop runs between Rock Springs and Green River and through the White Mountain Herd Management Area, which encompasses over 390,000 acres. (Gates Frontiers Fund Wyoming Collection/Carol M. Highsmith Archive/Library of Congress)

BLM announces WY wild horse roundup to start in August

The Bureau of Land Management says it will start a wild horse roundup in Wyoming's White Mountain area, but wildlife advocates say the plan exceeds …

The Conservation Fund said it aims to protect five million acres of forest by 2035. (Adobe Stock)

National project helps MN push back against deforestation

Deforestation remains a concern in the U.S. but success stories are emerging and Minnesota advocates said new achievements bode well for all …

In total, The Conservation Fund has protected 529,213 acres of land and water across the state of New York. (Adobe Stock)

Thousands of acres of NY forest land protected for conservation

Almost 200,000 acres of New York have been protected by The Conservation Fund. Their efforts in the Empire State come as the group, which protects …

The Northern Goshawk is dependent on old-growth forests and is especially good at getting into tight spaces. A federal judge in Montana has blocked a logging project that threatened the birds' habitat. (Adobe Stock)

Federal judge blocks logging project, protects iconic hawk

A federal court judge in Montana blocked a large project which would have logged or clear-cut more than 10,000 acres of old-growth forest and threaten…

Fireworks and dry, hot weather are never a good combination. Last year, in Portland alone, fireworks ignited 46 fires, according to Portland Fire & Rescue. (Mickis Fotowelt/Adobe Stock)

Weather sparks rise in OR holiday weekend wildfire risk

Local fire crews across Oregon will be working to limit the number of manmade fires in the state on what looks to be the hottest weekend of the year s…

Many parks require you to stay a minimum distance of 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from predators like bears and wolves, according to the National Park Service. (Joe A. Chansak/Adobe Stock)

Wildlife advocates: Keep your distance from wild animals

As summer travel peaks, wildlife experts are urging people to maintain their distance from wild animals they may encounter. North Carolina, home to …

The Conservation Fund says it aims to protect five million acres of forest by 2035. (Zack Frank/Adobe Stock)

1 million acres of forest protected under The Conservation Fund, including in OR

The Conservation Fund, which works to protect land and nature across the U.S. has announced it has protected more than 1 million acres of working …

There were 165 wildlife-vehicle collisions in Teton County between May 2020 and April 2021, according to the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, the lowest number since data collection started in 2011. (Adobe Stock)

Park visitors cautioned to respect wildlife

July is one of the busiest months for national parks and wildlife advocates have tips for reducing conflicts with animals. Grand Teton and …

Wild animals can be aggressive if people don't respect their space, according to the National Park Service. (Adobe Stock)

After 83-year-old gored in Yellowstone, wildlife experts warn bison 'not in a zoo'

Wildlife experts are warning people not to get too close to the animals in national parks as the summer travel season heats up. Overeager tourists …

The union representing Minneapolis park keepers says since 1984, the department's superintendent's salary has increased by 229%, but in contrast, frontline workers' wages have fallen behind when factoring in inflation. (Adobe Stock)

Mpls. labor dispute highlights park workers' job challenges

With the July 4 holiday approaching, families are likely to spend time at municipal parks to celebrate and Parks Department staff in Minneapolis hope …

Oso Outdoors offers winter and summer programs, including mountain biking, which aim to help bring more diversity to outdoor recreation in Summit County. (Adobe Stock)

Conservationists want free national park access for newest U.S. citizens

Conservation groups are asking federal agencies to give newly naturalized U.S. citizens a free America the Beautiful National Parks pass. Javier …

Congressional Republicans have taken steps to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list but the White House strongly opposes such a move. (Adobe Stock)

New legal action stems from WI wolf management plan

Wisconsin's wolf management plan has been in place for months now but the legal fallout continues. Wildlife organizations have filed a court appeal …

The Middle Fork of the Salmon River was one of the first rivers protected as Wild and Scenic by the federal government in 1968. (NorthwestWildImages/Adobe Stock)

As Rivers Month wraps up, action still needed to protect ID rivers

National Rivers Month comes to an end this week and conservation groups said it is a reminder more action is needed to protect Idaho's rivers…

The wild and scenic Eel River is part of the Bureau of Land Management's planned 382,000-acre management area in northwest California. (Wikimedia Commons)

BLM releases final conservation plan for NW California public lands

Conservation advocates say a new Bureau of Land Management final Environmental Impact Statement takes positive steps toward developing a management pl…

Heavy flooding was seen in Dos Rios in April 2023. (River Partners)

A ranch, rewilded: The transformation of California’s newest state park

By Elizabeth Hewitt for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

The Minnesota DNR says rivers in several parts of the state are running extremely high and fast, and conservation officers recommend people stay off the areas until water levels drop. (Photo courtesy of DNR)

Soggy MN weather prompts safety issues as state park season kicks off

Recent bouts of heavy rain are not just leading to flooded basements in Minnesota, they are reducing access to state parks just as summer demand …

The U.S. government recognized the Black Hills as part of the Great Sioux Reservation in the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie. The Black Hills Forest Reserve was established in 1897 and transferred to the U.S. Forest Service in 1905. (R. Blauert, Wikimedia Commons)

Black Hills Visitor Center under new joint tribal, federal oversight

The Black Hills National Forest is one of the latest federal lands to enter a co-stewardship agreement with local tribal nations-a management model en…

Groups call for new citizens to have greater access to federal lands, waters

June is National Immigrant Heritage Month, and advocates in Utah want to see a pathway to U.S. citizenship include easier access to public lands and …

The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness is popular with hikers in Montana. (Adobe Stock)

Judge set to rule on massive MT logging project

A federal judge in Montana is holding a hearing next Tuesday on a motion for an injunction against the Pintler Face logging and burning project on Bea…

A report by The Nature Conservancy says if clean energy continues to be sited the way it always has been, the U.S. will need an area the size of Texas to meet its climate targets. (Adobe Stock)

Conservationists tout IN old mines, brownfields to develop renewable energy

Today is the summer solstice, the day of the year with the most sunshine, and Indiana conservationists said they have a plan to make the best use of …

Sage grouse have been petitioned for addition to the federal endangered species list nine times over the last 25 years, according to a U.S. Geological Survey report. (Western Watersheds Project)

Feds updating management plans for threatened sage grouse ecosystem

After nearly a decade of delays, a federal agency is working on a new resource management plan that will affect an iconic Western bird species…

Environmental groups are working to attract more Latino families to enjoy the great outdoors on public lands such as the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area in southern Inyo County. (Louis Medina)

Latino environmental groups push for greater access to public lands

Conservation groups are circulating a petition asking the feds to give "America the Beautiful National Parks and Recreation Lands" passes to new citiz…

Olympic National Park received nearly 3 million visitors in 2023. (Francisco/Adobe Stock)

Great Outdoors Month highlights recreation impact on WA

June is Great Outdoors Month, which also underscores the importance of outdoor recreation in Washington state. As temperatures warm up, people are …

The Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in central Idaho was established a century ago in 1924. (MelissaMN/Adobe Stock)

ID recreation economy in focus during Great Outdoors Month

June is Great Outdoors Month, which underscores the importance of outdoor recreation in Idaho. As temperatures warm up, people are enjoying nature…

Illinois is bordered by 880 miles of water - the Mississippi River, Ohio River, and Wabash River. according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. (Adode Stock)

Tug-of-war for more access to IL streams continues

Federal law and Illinois law are at odds over ownership, access, and use of the state's streams, lakes & rivers - and the Legislature failed to pass …

More than a half million people visited Crater Lake National Park in 2023. (reisegraf/Adobe Stock)

Great Outdoors Month: Outdoor recreation 'economic multiplier' for OR

June is Great Outdoors Month, which also underscores the importance of outdoor recreation in Oregon. As temperatures warm up, people are enjoying …

Amphibians and reptiles have more restricted geographic ranges than other vertebrates and are highly susceptible to threats like habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. (Adobe Stock)

BLM could throw lifeline to amphibians and reptiles

The recently finalized Bureau of Land Management Public Lands Rule could give a boost to America's most at-risk terrestrial vertebrates: amphibians an…

North Dakota's Pembina Gorge Recreation Area will soon become the state's 14th state park, with a 55-site campground and six all-season full-service cabins. (Photo courtesy of North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department)

New ND state park adds weight to Great Outdoors Month messaging

As temperatures warm up, people are enjoying nature - and North Dakota officials hope to see many more do so in the future as a new state park comes …

Many of the rules governing oil and gas operations on Montana public lands had not been updated in a century. (Adobe Stock)

MT groups fight to preserve new BLM oil and gas rule

Montana groups are working to save a new Bureau of Land Management rule about oil and gas leasing on public lands. They have hand-delivered a …

Officials welcomed visitors to California's newest state park this week. Dos Rios State Park sits at the confluence of the San Joaquin and Tuolumne Rivers near Modesto. (California State Parks)

Dozens of events planned this weekend for CA State Parks Week

Close to 200 events are planned now through Sunday at California state parks for the third annual State Parks Week. The events advance Gov. Gavin …

A new Colorado law provides local and tribal governments with science-based resources for siting and permitting new renewable-energy projects, including maps identifying sensitive wildlife habitat. (Adobe Stock)

New resources available to site CO clean-energy projects, protect wildlife

To reach 100% clean energy by 2040 - a move seen as critical for averting the worst impacts of climate change - Colorado must generate five times more…

Lake County, despite its small size, annually contributes about $22 million to the state of Oregon in outdoor recreation revenues. (flickr)

Public lands in Oregon's Dark Sky Sanctuary set for BLM update

More than 3 million acres of public lands in southeastern Oregon are poised for enhanced management by the Bureau of Land Management. The BLM is …

The group says the United States should work with partner countries willing and able to enforce strict terms or face sanctions. (Anastasiia/Adobe Stock)

Environmental groups want say in Critical Mineral Agreements

A group of environmental and civil society organizations is fighting for better working conditions for people in countries that supply critical minera…

The white-nosed coatimundi, classified as an endangered species in New Mexico, roams and hunts during daytime hours in the Gila Wilderness. (National Park Service)

New Mexico celebrates 100 years of Gila Wilderness preservation

New Mexico's Gila Wilderness is special - not only for its natural beauty, but also because it received the world's first-ever "wilderness" …

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 24 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - July 26, 2024

2024Talks - July 26, 2024

The Yonder Report - July 25, 2024