President Donald Trump has pledged to make America's federal nature reserves "beautiful again," but his administration's policies have sparked concern among conservation advocates who see a shift toward opening public lands to energy development.
National parks are part of more than 600 million acres (243 million hectares) of U.S. public lands, including forests, deserts, waterways and wildlife refuges. These areas "include some of the most ecologically intact and biodiverse lands in the country," said Jenny Rowland-Shea, director of public lands policy at the Center for American Progress, a Washington-based think tank.
However, critics argue that budget cuts and regulatory rollbacks threaten these landscapes. In May 2025, the Trump administration proposed cutting nearly $1 billion (€860 million) from the National Park Service budget. Park advocates warn such a reduction could force hundreds of sites to close or significantly scale back services.
Rowland-Shea said the weakening of the National Park Service and its conservation mission "under the guise of 'government efficiency' has only made parks and public lands less safe, less clean, less accessible, and more crowded than ever before."
Executive Order and Energy Expansion
Two months after announcing the cuts, Trump signed an executive order devoted to "improving" national parks. The order lyrically invoked natural areas that have "inspired generations," but also criticized "land-use restrictions" that have "stripped hunters, fishers, hikers, and outdoorsmen of access to public lands that belong to them."
By framing conservation measures as impediments, the administration appears to be signaling a broader policy shift that could open more federally managed lands to mining, drilling and logging. More than 40% of total U.S. public lands have long been subject to oil, gas, coal and mineral extraction, and the Trump administration has ordered a significant increase in domestic "mineral production" on federal lands. It has also opened millions of acres of public land and water to oil drilling and coal mining to "secure reliable energy."
Popularity of National Parks
Despite the policy debates, national parks remain hugely popular. Often called "America's best idea," the national park network set a record in 2024 with about 332 million visitors, according to reports.
The administration's actions have drawn criticism from environmental groups and some lawmakers, who argue that prioritizing energy extraction over conservation could damage irreplaceable natural treasures. Supporters of the administration's approach contend that expanding access to public lands for energy development boosts domestic production and creates jobs, while still allowing for recreational use.
The tension between preserving natural heritage and promoting resource development continues to shape the national conversation over the future of America's public lands.