The History of Public Lands

"After 43 years of doing this, some things didn't sound accurate to me. So I started researching this in in order to to put together a program to go out and really explain what the history of these places are and what is fact and what is fiction."

When was the last time you thought about the history behind our public lands? It's more intricate than many realize. One person that knows that is a veteran leader in the world of parks, Walt Dabney.

Walt joined us fresh from the 47th annual Ranger Rendezvous. This event started back in 1977 and continues to bring park rangers together. His presentation on the history and future of public lands was incredibly compelling. Do yourself a favor and take the time to watch it on YouTube.

Walt unpacked the historical context of how America's public lands came to be, from the Louisiana Purchase and Treaty of Paris to the impacts of the Mexican War. He explained how the lens of history is crucial to understanding current debates, particularly the contentious issue of transferring federal lands to state control.

One of the major points Walt made was the looming risk if states like Utah successfully demand federal land transfers. Managing these lands is no small feat, with wildfire costs alone hitting $119 million in 2018. If states can't afford to manage these lands, we risk seeing them sold off and lost forever.

Walt, who once led Texas State Parks and served decades in the National Park Service, brings the wisdom of his extensive career to the forefront. His ongoing educational outreach highlights the importance of public engagement. His key message is clear: we must understand and appreciate public lands' history to safeguard their future.

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