Building Bridges and Protecting Public Lands
Badlands Conservation Alliance has been a Voice for Wild North Dakota Places for 25 years. BCA’s work is critical to meet this extraordinary moment and provide solutions in western ND while envisioning our next 25 years.
Now, in 2025, the federal government is unraveling long-held environmental protections such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, and attempting to sell off our Public Lands. North Dakota will be impacted with more roads that will reduce more of our grasslands for increased resource extraction, fragment wildlife habitat while eliminating or minimizing your opportunity for public comment.
We must stand together and have our voices heard. Your input and comments are vital at this moment. Please, use your voice, tell your like-minded family and friends to join us!
Shannon Straight opening the newly replaced gate beside Bear Creek on the Maah Daah Hey Trail. Photo by Nora Swenson, June 18th, 2025.
Interior Secretary Burgum’s desire to undo the BLM’s Resource Management Plan is an effort to support industry over the environment and USDA’s Re-Organization plan would eliminate both science research centers and public input in a move that is viewed as a step towards privatization. Elimination of the Public Lands Rule, which would have elevated conservation on Public Lands, sends a clear signal the administration is not a friend of conservation. Degrading agencies such as the National Park Service and Forest Service through staffing reductions, hiring freezes, and funding cuts prevents agencies from thoroughly addressing their important missions. The obvious end goal is to have a justification to sell off our Public Lands.
The administration had already eliminated funding for conservation work through budget cuts. Grant awards were frozen. Morale in both the conservation community and with our federal partners is extremely low. BCA feels all these pains and more as a very small nonprofit. One EPA grant BCA had applied towards and was going to be awarded has been frozen ($75k). BCA will certainly face difficult budget challenges in FY '26. Still, part of our mission is also to work with the stewards of our Public Lands, both State and Federal and to defend our Public Lands. I am committed to not lose sight of the entire BCA mission while addressing our financial challenges. The administration wins if we give up and shrink from the moment. That may be their end goal so it’s easier to sell off our Public Lands. BCA is resilient and can have a tremendous impact throughout ND. We’ve seen it, felt it, and heard it firsthand. Still, as the BCA’s Executive Director, I need to apologize for my lack of communication. I’ve been moving fast, too fast!
“I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use the natural resources of our land; but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob, by wasteful use, the generations that come after us.”
After the election, I made a calculated decision to start a new BCA program in the face of overwhelming uncertainty. Many thought I was crazy. In May of 2025, BCA launched the Badlands Conservation Corps (BCC). BCC is an AmeriCorps Field Crew through a partnership with Strengthen ND. Field crew members serve for 300 service hours, and earn a small living allowance to complete service projects in western ND. Strengthen ND pays the living allowance and at the end of their service commitment, a BCC field crew member earns an Education Award to pay for schooling or pay off student loan debt. BCC serves alongside our partners such as the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Forest Service (DPG FS), Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP), Three Affiliated Tribes National Park (TAT NP) staff, and conservation partners like North Dakota Wildlife Federation (NDWF) and Mule Deer Foundation. BCC can meet a portion of the growing needs created by federal action by having boots on the ground. At a time of unprecedented staffing cuts, BCA has stepped up. For example, the National Park Service has seen a 24% reduction in staff over the past year, according to an analysis by the National Parks Conservation Association. AmeriCorps programs nationwide are also being cut.
Still, BCA and BCC not only survived, we thrived and brought much needed youthful enthusiasm that boosted morale and served the AmeriCorps mission, ‘To Get Things Done in ND!’ BCA grit and determination saw our BCC Field Crew work alongside 13 project partners this past summer and completed over 1,800 service hours. We deepened relationships with Maah Daah Hey Trail Association, TAT NP, TRNP, and DPG FS, who graciously housed our crew. We made strides with ranchers as well. BCA also has signed one new cooperative agreement with North Dakota Natural Resources Trust and helped NDWF complete an Outdoor Heritage Fund grant to improve wildlife habitat that helps to fund our BCC field crew. A huge achievement and I’m grateful for such partnerships. My first two years as your Executive Director have paid dividends through relationship building. This was evident in our BCC field crew and how well it has been received. My goal for the next 25 years, BCA will serve as both ‘watchdog,’ and a ‘boots on the ground solution’ to improve western ND for future generations.
Change can be difficult. Still, I am committed and know my approach as well as BCA’s needs to evolve. BCA will undergo more focused strategic planning over the next three months and our work needs to be more targeted on both the issues that matter and how our BCC field crew can respond by developing a fee-for-service model for sustainability. You, as the lifeblood of BCA, will receive more ongoing communications through both email, and the printed Wild Badlands newsletter that we will mail quarterly.
Additionally, I’d like to invite you to join me on a video call once a month. We value you, your participation, and encourage your feedback. I’d like to be available to hear your thoughts, concerns and answer your questions. Our next call will take place November 6th at 4 p.m. CT. If you email or call me, I’ll include your email to receive the Zoom details.
At a time of deep division within our country, BCA is a healthy outlet for positive change and deliberate action. Be proud. Stand up, and be heard. I’d like to also invite you to join us in 2026 by volunteering on a BCC project.
Sincerely,
Shannon Straight
Executive Director
Badlands Conservation Aliance