Badlands Conservation Alliance
@bcaorg.bsky.social
A Voice for Wild North Dakota Places
"Snowy owls are rather regular winter visitors to North Dakota, although their numbers can be quite variable."
Where to spot snowy owls this winter in North Dakota
Snowy owls, of course, are species of the tundra. So are lemmings, which are mouse-like mammals that are the main food source for snowy owls. For decades this predator/prey relationship has been known...
news.prairiepublic.org
November 17, 2025 at 7:26 PM
"Snowy owls are rather regular winter visitors to North Dakota, although their numbers can be quite variable."
"The Dakota Resource Council is among the environmental groups opposed to state regulation of coal combustion residuals, saying North Dakota has a history of ignoring environmental issues. Executive Director Scott Skokos called it 'a free pass for coal companies to police themselves'"
EPA puts coal waste regulation into North Dakota’s hands • North Dakota Monitor
The federal government will allow the state of North Dakota to regulate the handling of waste from coal-burning power plants.
northdakotamonitor.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:01 PM
"The Dakota Resource Council is among the environmental groups opposed to state regulation of coal combustion residuals, saying North Dakota has a history of ignoring environmental issues. Executive Director Scott Skokos called it 'a free pass for coal companies to police themselves'"
"National parks are the darling of public lands, receiving the highest degree of protections and the most public support. A natural question: If the administration is kneecapping the park service, what’s happening to more vulnerable agencies?"
What’s the Trump Administration’s End Game for the National Parks?
We saw it in Yosemite. But you have to look beyond the bathrooms.
www.republic.land
November 5, 2025 at 6:03 PM
"National parks are the darling of public lands, receiving the highest degree of protections and the most public support. A natural question: If the administration is kneecapping the park service, what’s happening to more vulnerable agencies?"
"Now it is unclear whether anyone will clean up an estimated 93 abandoned wells on federal lands managed by the Park Service. The wells are at high risk of spewing planet-warming gases into the atmosphere and contaminating groundwater, posing significant threats to the environment and public health"
He Alone Tracked Leaky Oil Wells in National Parks. He Was Let Go.
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 9:48 PM
"Now it is unclear whether anyone will clean up an estimated 93 abandoned wells on federal lands managed by the Park Service. The wells are at high risk of spewing planet-warming gases into the atmosphere and contaminating groundwater, posing significant threats to the environment and public health"
High Country News: "Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s decision to keep the national parks open without adequate staffing during the government shutdown shows the failure of his responsibility to conserve them unimpaired, for future generations."
Interior is failing to conserve national parks - High Country News
Leaving parks open during a shutdown neglects the mandate of future enjoyment.
www.hcn.org
October 27, 2025 at 10:12 PM
High Country News: "Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s decision to keep the national parks open without adequate staffing during the government shutdown shows the failure of his responsibility to conserve them unimpaired, for future generations."
Reposted by Badlands Conservation Alliance
The Dakota Resource Council filed the suit against North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality and Riverview.
Environmental group challenging permit for 25,000-cow North Dakota dairy • North Dakota Monitor
A North Dakota environmental group has filed a lawsuit over a giant dairy under construction in Traill County.
buff.ly
October 27, 2025 at 9:15 PM
The Dakota Resource Council filed the suit against North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality and Riverview.
"Tossing the Biden-era resource management plan means mineral management on federal lands in North Dakota reverts to a plan adopted in 1988 — erasing a half-mile 'no surface occupancy' buffer around the Missouri River, Lake Oahe and Lake Sakakawea."
Reversal of North Dakota land management plan reopens millions of acres to energy development
The Republican-led Congress has thrown out a Biden-era plan for managing public lands in North Dakota.
www.inforum.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:45 PM
"Tossing the Biden-era resource management plan means mineral management on federal lands in North Dakota reverts to a plan adopted in 1988 — erasing a half-mile 'no surface occupancy' buffer around the Missouri River, Lake Oahe and Lake Sakakawea."
Reposted by Badlands Conservation Alliance
National parks, public lands feared at risk of long-term harm as shutdown drags on, reports @fischler.bsky.social for @statesnewsroom.com
National parks, public lands feared at risk of long-term harm as shutdown drags on • North Dakota Monitor
Bare-bones staffing during the government shutdown across the Interior Department and the U.S. Forest Service is leaving America’s treasured natural assets vulnerable to lasting damage, according to…
buff.ly
October 17, 2025 at 5:02 PM
National parks, public lands feared at risk of long-term harm as shutdown drags on, reports @fischler.bsky.social for @statesnewsroom.com
In a chaotic and unprecedented move, the Senate voted last week to pass Congressional Review Act resolutions to overturn the BLM's resource management plans for North Dakota, Montana, and Alaska.
House Republicans’ Use of Little-Known Law to Strike Down Public Land Plans Could Be Pandora’s Box Moment - Inside Climate News
Invoking the Congressional Review Act against land-use plans for 166 million acres could destabilize clean energy, conservation and tribal protections, leaving public lands more vulnerable to politica...
insideclimatenews.org
October 17, 2025 at 7:04 PM
In a chaotic and unprecedented move, the Senate voted last week to pass Congressional Review Act resolutions to overturn the BLM's resource management plans for North Dakota, Montana, and Alaska.
Thanks to everyone who made it to the film screening with Walt Dabney yesterday evening in Grand Forks! Thanks to all of the UND and NDSU students who attended, as well as Professor Emeritus Robert Seabloom—and thanks to Valerie Naylor for moderating the Q&A discussion.
October 17, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Thanks to everyone who made it to the film screening with Walt Dabney yesterday evening in Grand Forks! Thanks to all of the UND and NDSU students who attended, as well as Professor Emeritus Robert Seabloom—and thanks to Valerie Naylor for moderating the Q&A discussion.
Prairie Public: "If you have been around the woods and thickets across the state over the past few weeks, a couple of interesting vines may have caught your attention. Neither species is well-known, but nonetheless, they put on an interesting show this time of year."
Identifying fall vines in North Dakota
If you have been around the woods and thickets across the state over the past few weeks, a couple of interesting vines may have caught your attention. Neither species is well-known, but nonetheless, t...
news.prairiepublic.org
October 17, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Prairie Public: "If you have been around the woods and thickets across the state over the past few weeks, a couple of interesting vines may have caught your attention. Neither species is well-known, but nonetheless, they put on an interesting show this time of year."
National Parks Conservation Association: "On behalf of our 1.9 million members and supporters and all who love our national parks, NPCA is demanding that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum explain why he is unraveling the very fabric of our national parks."
Secretary Burgum, Tell Us Why
The National Park Service has lost more than 25% of its permanent staff. History has been literally erased from parks. And in the midst of a government shutdown, more mass firings are looming. These w...
www.npca.org
October 17, 2025 at 4:45 PM
National Parks Conservation Association: "On behalf of our 1.9 million members and supporters and all who love our national parks, NPCA is demanding that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum explain why he is unraveling the very fabric of our national parks."
Thank you to everyone who made it to the film screening in Bismarck last night! Thanks to Keith Trego for moderating the question-and-answer discussion.
Join us tonight in Grand Forks!
Join us tonight in Grand Forks!
October 16, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Thank you to everyone who made it to the film screening in Bismarck last night! Thanks to Keith Trego for moderating the question-and-answer discussion.
Join us tonight in Grand Forks!
Join us tonight in Grand Forks!
Thank you to everyone who made it to The History and Future of America’s Public Land with Walt Dabney in Dickinson last night, including Clay Jenkinson, who moderated the Q&A.
Join us tonight in Bismarck!
Join us tonight in Bismarck!
October 15, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Thank you to everyone who made it to The History and Future of America’s Public Land with Walt Dabney in Dickinson last night, including Clay Jenkinson, who moderated the Q&A.
Join us tonight in Bismarck!
Join us tonight in Bismarck!
Great crew for an outing to the new Bear Creek Bridge along the Maah Daah Hey Trail south of Medora, ND! Thanks to everyone who joined us.
October 14, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Great crew for an outing to the new Bear Creek Bridge along the Maah Daah Hey Trail south of Medora, ND! Thanks to everyone who joined us.
Join us this week for a film screening and discussion series featuring Walt Dabney, a nationally recognized public lands leader whose 43-year career spanned the National Park Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Tonight in Dickinson: www.badlandsconservationalliance.org/events/walt-...
Tonight in Dickinson: www.badlandsconservationalliance.org/events/walt-...
October 14, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Join us this week for a film screening and discussion series featuring Walt Dabney, a nationally recognized public lands leader whose 43-year career spanned the National Park Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Tonight in Dickinson: www.badlandsconservationalliance.org/events/walt-...
Tonight in Dickinson: www.badlandsconservationalliance.org/events/walt-...
Join us next week!
October 14th in Dickinson
Moderated by Clay Jenkinson
October 15th in Bismarck
Moderated by Keith Trego
October 16th in Grand Forks
Moderated by Valerie Naylor
More info: www.badlandsconservationalliance.org/events
October 14th in Dickinson
Moderated by Clay Jenkinson
October 15th in Bismarck
Moderated by Keith Trego
October 16th in Grand Forks
Moderated by Valerie Naylor
More info: www.badlandsconservationalliance.org/events
October 6, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Join us next week!
October 14th in Dickinson
Moderated by Clay Jenkinson
October 15th in Bismarck
Moderated by Keith Trego
October 16th in Grand Forks
Moderated by Valerie Naylor
More info: www.badlandsconservationalliance.org/events
October 14th in Dickinson
Moderated by Clay Jenkinson
October 15th in Bismarck
Moderated by Keith Trego
October 16th in Grand Forks
Moderated by Valerie Naylor
More info: www.badlandsconservationalliance.org/events
The Trump administration's contingency plan during the most recent shutdown "resulted in damage across the National Park System. There were reports of illegal off-roading, vandalism, overflowing trash, damaged cultural sites, stolen artifacts from battlefields, and destruction of Joshua trees."
What a Federal Government Shutdown Means for National Parks
Congress has allowed a federal government shutdown. Our FAQ explains how this impacts national parks ― and your plans to visit.
www.npca.org
October 3, 2025 at 11:30 PM
The Trump administration's contingency plan during the most recent shutdown "resulted in damage across the National Park System. There were reports of illegal off-roading, vandalism, overflowing trash, damaged cultural sites, stolen artifacts from battlefields, and destruction of Joshua trees."
Center for Western Priorities: "Contingency plans released by the federal government ahead of the ongoing shutdown reveal the Interior department has lost around 14 percent of its total staff since September 2024."
Shutdown plans reveal extent of Trump layoffs at Interior - Center for Western Priorities
Contingency plans released by the federal government ahead of the ongoing shutdown reveal the Interior department has lost around 14 percent of its total staff since September 2024. The National Park ...
westernpriorities.org
October 3, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Center for Western Priorities: "Contingency plans released by the federal government ahead of the ongoing shutdown reveal the Interior department has lost around 14 percent of its total staff since September 2024."
"The shutdown comes as the National Park Service already faces staffing issues. The Trump administration, via layoffs and buyouts, has cut 24 percent of the agency’s staff so far this year, with many superintendent positions and regional director positions filled by acting staff"
National Parks Are Staying Open During the Government Shutdown, Putting Visitors and Resources at Risk - Inside Climate News
The last shutdown left parks across the country in disarray, with protected resources vandalized, iconic species attacked and bathrooms overflowing with waste. Park service veterans warn this time cou...
insideclimatenews.org
October 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
"The shutdown comes as the National Park Service already faces staffing issues. The Trump administration, via layoffs and buyouts, has cut 24 percent of the agency’s staff so far this year, with many superintendent positions and regional director positions filled by acting staff"
The Atlantic: "The Trump administration’s proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year—which suggested $1.2 billion in cuts to NPS funding, the largest in the history of the agency—would only worsen the parks’ infrastructure problems."
Trump Is Setting the National Parks Up to Fail
Workers say the real crisis is happening behind the scenes.
www.theatlantic.com
September 26, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The Atlantic: "The Trump administration’s proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year—which suggested $1.2 billion in cuts to NPS funding, the largest in the history of the agency—would only worsen the parks’ infrastructure problems."
"Rollins’ memo does not explain why the regional offices are being axed, or what will happen to the regional foresters’ positions and their functions, or how the change will affect the agency’s chain of command."
The dismantling of the Forest Service - High Country News
The Trump administration’s plans would remake the agency and public lands. The deadline to comment is Sept. 30.
www.hcn.org
September 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
"Rollins’ memo does not explain why the regional offices are being axed, or what will happen to the regional foresters’ positions and their functions, or how the change will affect the agency’s chain of command."
"In its application materials, WBI said many customers who have expressed interest in the pipeline are developing power generation projects to support data centers."
The North Dakota Industrial Commission on Thursday awarded WBI Energy an up to $500 million financial guarantee to build a pipeline that will bring natural gas to the state’s eastern communities.
WBI to receive $500M state financial guarantee to build natural gas pipeline in North Dakota • North Dakota Monitor
The North Dakota Industrial Commission on Thursday awarded WBI Energy an up to $500 million financial guarantee to build a pipeline that will bring natural gas to the state’s eastern communities.…
buff.ly
August 22, 2025 at 8:26 PM
"In its application materials, WBI said many customers who have expressed interest in the pipeline are developing power generation projects to support data centers."
Reposted by Badlands Conservation Alliance
At least seven states limit the costs oil and gas companies can pass on to the people they lease drilling rights from. Here’s how North Dakota differs when it comes to protecting the interests of mineral owners.
With @propublica.org
With @propublica.org
Some states restrict the oil industry from taking mineral owners’ earnings. Not North Dakota. • North Dakota Monitor
This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with the North Dakota Monitor. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories in your inbox every week. Millions of Americans…
buff.ly
August 15, 2025 at 2:13 PM
At least seven states limit the costs oil and gas companies can pass on to the people they lease drilling rights from. Here’s how North Dakota differs when it comes to protecting the interests of mineral owners.
With @propublica.org
With @propublica.org
The Bismarck Tribune: "Ranchers during their meeting with Schultz said they are experiencing more disturbances particularly from the use of off-road vehicles for recreation on the Grasslands."
USFS chief talks oil, ranching and fire on western North Dakota's federal grasslands
The top Forest Service official was in North Dakota earlier this week to gather input from the oil industry and ranchers as his agency draws up new land management rules.
bismarcktribune.com
August 18, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The Bismarck Tribune: "Ranchers during their meeting with Schultz said they are experiencing more disturbances particularly from the use of off-road vehicles for recreation on the Grasslands."