Public lands must stay in public hands

From our high desert to our mountain ranges and beautiful coastline to the blue, pristine water of Crater Lake National Park, Oregon has over 30 million acres of some of the country's most breathtaking public lands.

In my annual town halls in each of Oregon's 36 counties, I hear firsthand from folks about what matters most to them, and protecting our state's iconic public lands and waters is always a concern.

Safeguarding the landscapes that make Oregon so special starts by listening to frontline communities on saying NO to gas drilling in public lands and waters and continuing to provide the resources to defend them. And unlike Republicans who want to expand mining operations, drill in the Arctic, and delist endangered species, Democrats are committed to fighting for our public lands.

As Chair of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, I am in the driver's seat to deliver on these priorities for Oregon, and a recent bill I wrote and pushed to pass delivers critical funding for environmental programs, community-initiated projects, and Tribal communities that will benefit Oregonians in every corner of the state for years to come.

By funding outdoor recreation and conservation projects, we can create more jobs, grow economies, and keep our public lands accessible for all!

Growing up in Oregon, I spent my childhood hiking and camping and enjoying Oregon's great outdoors, and I feel fortunate to be able to share those places with my own family. But with threats from development and climate chaos, we can't take it for granted that our public lands will always be in public hands.

Your advocacy helps me secure the resources to protect our state's natural wonders, and we must continue to work together to ensure future generations of Oregonians are able to enjoy our incredible public lands.

Onward!

Jeff