Opinion | Why we must protect our public lands and Great Lakes

Michigan’s public lands and Great Lakes have faced mounting threats for years from development pressures, resource extraction, pollution, and climate change.

But our precious public lands and Great Lakes are now under a more imminent threat.

Unelected billionaire Elon Musk’s Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team has already fired thousands employees from the National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  

These mass firings endanger our protected land, its wildlife and its visitors. These reckless cuts will result in the loss of important access programs, research, data, effective public land and water management, and critical institutional knowledge. 

Don’t just take my word for it. Listen to the people on the front lines of protecting our Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Or look to the 800 workers fired from NOAA on Feb. 28, endangering the critical work of the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, among other vital pieces of the infrastructure that protect our Great Lakes.

We know Michigan is a land of unparalleled natural beauty. From the pristine shores of the Great Lakes to the dense forests of the Upper Peninsula, our state is a treasure trove of breathtaking vistas that belong to all of us. 

What Michigan stands to lose

So much is at stake for Michigan if we continue to allow the attacks from Musk and the Trump administration. The protection of our state and national parks, forests, Great Lakes and wildlife refuges is not just an environmental issue — it’s a moral and economic imperative. 

Michigan’s public lands are economic powerhouses for the state. Whether you’re an avid hunter in the Huron-Manistee National Forests, angler, a kayaker exploring Pictured Rocks, or a family enjoying a summer picnic at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan’s public lands and waters offer a place for recreation, reflection, and connection to nature. The ripple effect of gutting funding and staffing for these parks and forests will not take long to reach the average Michigander’s front door.

Our outdoor industry generated $13.9 billion last year, ranking us 15th in the nation, according to a study released at the end of last year. It also supported more than 118,000 jobs and generated $6.4 billion in earnings for residents. Meanwhile, the Great Lakes, which hold 90% of the US supply of fresh surface water serving more than 40 million people, also supports a $6 trillion regional economy.

So many beloved local businesses – from bait shops in small Northern towns to outfitters along the Au Sable River – rely on the thousands of visitors who come from around the country and the world to experience our natural wonders. 

Preserving public lands and Great Lakes is not a partisan issue

Regardless of where you land on the political spectrum, every Michigander has a role and a vested interest in preserving our public lands.

Our parks and forests are more than just scenic backdrops for Pure Michigan commercials and Instagram grids. It’s about defending the soul of our state and supporting all of the workers dedicated to safeguarding it. 

That means not only supporting policies that prioritize public land and Great Lakes protection, but also holding our leaders at all levels of government accountable. It is up to all of us to push back against efforts to privatize or exploit our shared spaces by corporate polluters. 

The United States has a proud tradition of conservation. Leaders like Teddy Roosevelt and Michigan’s own William Milliken championed policies to preserve our natural heritage for future generations. It is not an exaggeration to say the attacks from the federal government are completely against the ethos of America.

The Sierra Club will continue advocating for policies that protect our communities, air, land, and water, while defending against any efforts to undermine them. But we need you with us. This assault on our nation demands the might of our collective power as Michiganders. Let’s rise together and protect the very land that helps make our home so beautiful. 

Take a second today to contact your members of Congress and let them know why it is important to stand up for our lands and water, and those who are dedicated to protecting these precious places.