1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

Our nation's system of protected public lands, including national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges, belongs to all Americans and must be preserved for current and future generations. We cannot allow these irreplaceable natural treasures to be seized, sold off, or industrialized by private interests driven solely by profits. Proposals to transfer federal public lands to state control threaten to dismantle this vital national heritage, opening the door for large-scale development, mining, logging, and drilling on lands that should remain pristine and accessible to all. History shows that cash-strapped states often sell off such lands, robbing the public of immense economic and recreational value. Furthermore, state governments lack the resources and mandate to properly manage and protect iconic places like Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and other scenic wonders on the scale that federal agencies can. Unsustainable exploitation and restricted access are inevitable outcomes once these lands are no longer under federal stewardship. Our public lands represent our shared natural legacy as Americans. We must remain united in defending them against those motivated by short-term profits at the expense of our outdoor heritage. These lands were set aside for the public good - to provide recreation, preservation, and inspiration for all people. Privatizing or industrializing them violates the essence of why they were protected in the first place. For the sake of present and future generations, our parks, forests, and wildlands must forever remain public and wild.