More than 21 million acres in Oregon could be sold
For generations, Americans have understood public lands as a shared inheritance—guided by a conservation ethic dating back to President Theodore Roosevelt’s protection of national forests, parks, and monuments. But a new proposal in Congress would undo much of that legacy.
A provision in the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee’s budget reconciliation bill mandates the sale of 2 to 3 million acres of public land over just five years to offset tax cuts. These are lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management—places where we hike, camp, and connect with nature.
Even more alarming: the bill defines eligibility so broadly that over 250 million acres of federally managed land could be considered for disposal—including more than 21 million acres in Oregon alone.
Lands currently open for public recreation could be sold to any “interested party,” with minimal restrictions—even those within roadless areas, critical habitat zones, or lands with cultural significance.
This is not land management. It’s liquidation. Once sold, these places are gone—for good.
Take Action Today
- Visit Friends of the Columbia Gorge’s action page: We’re standing with our partners at Friends of the Columbia Gorge to oppose this bill. Their action page makes it easy to email your representatives—please take a moment to speak up now: https://act.gorgefriends.org/a/gorge-is-not-for-sale
- See what’s at stake: Explore this interactive map showing public lands in Oregon and across the West that could be affected.
- Spread the word: Share this message. Post on social media. Let friends and family know why you cherish these lands—and why we must fight to keep them public.
“There are no do‑overs when it comes to selling off public lands. Once they’re sold, they’re lost forever.”
— Senator Ron Wyden, June 17, 2025
Trailkeepers of Oregon remains committed to protecting and enhancing the Oregon hiking experience through trail stewardship, advocacy, and education. We invite all Oregonians to stand with us in ensuring that our public lands continue to serve the public good.
What it would mean for Oregon
According to the legislative criteria, over 21 million acres of Oregon’s public lands could become eligible for sale. These include areas within national forests and BLM-managed regions that are home to popular hiking trails, campgrounds, and wildlife habitat. These are places where families go to connect with nature, where volunteers—like those organized by Trailkeepers of Oregon—invest time and care to maintain trails, and where rural communities benefit from the economic activity outdoor recreation brings.
Oregon Public Lands Potentially Affected:
- Total: 21,745,380 acres
- U.S. Forest Service (USFS): 9,889,298 acres
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM): 11,856,082 acres
What it means for Oregon and TKO’s mission
If this bill passes, the impact on trail access could be immediate and irreversible. Public lands near some of Oregon’s most iconic hiking destinations—including the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood National Forest, the Deschutes National Forest, and the Owyhee Canyonlands—could be sold off to private buyers. Once sold, these lands could be gated, developed, mined, or otherwise closed to the public, with no requirement for continued recreational access.
This includes areas where Trailkeepers of Oregon has invested years of volunteer labor—restoring trails, building access infrastructure, and maintaining safe, sustainable routes for hikers.
Selling these lands would not only undermine decades of stewardship—it would sever the connection between Oregonians and the places they’ve worked to protect, setting a dangerous precedent for the future of conservation and access.
Public lands are a shared legacy
Oregon’s public lands are more than just acreage—they are part of our cultural identity, our economy, and our daily lives.
- Outdoor recreation generates over $8 billion annually for Oregon and supports more than 70,000 jobs.
- Trail access supports community health, offering free, close-to-home opportunities to be active and reduce stress.
- Public lands provide critical ecological services, from clean water to wildlife habitat.
- Volunteers play a vital role in maintaining Oregon’s trails, investing time, tools, and care into landscapes that belong to everyone.
Selling these lands moves us away from the principle that public lands should remain in public hands—for all people, for all time.
Trailkeepers of Oregon’s position
This legislation is not a new approach to land management—it’s the end of it. Once these lands are sold, they are no longer ours to manage, protect, or enjoy. While there is room for thoughtful discussion about how public lands are funded and cared for, permanent disposal without robust public input threatens access, undercuts local economies, and fragments ecosystems.
Instead of selling off public land, we believe in investing in it—ensuring future generations have the same opportunities to hike, explore, and care for Oregon’s outdoors as we do today.
We urge you to take action by signing the petition, making calls, and telling your friends and family why you cherish these lands—and why we must fight to keep them public for all to enjoy.
Learn more from trusted sources
- Read the bill text: Senate Energy & Natural Resources Budget Reconciliation Draft (June 17, 2025, PDF)
- Outdoor Alliance action page: Protect Public Lands – Outdoor Alliance
- Washington Trails Association advocacy update: WTA Campaign Overview
- The Wilderness Society summary and resources: The Wilderness Society – Budget Reconciliation Threats
