1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

There is an amendment to the budget bill that would to sell off vast tracts of our public lands. I believe this is a mistake that will make or break political careers. We all rely on our environment for basic human prosperity, for everything from food to mental health. And I know you take climate change seriously, a major reason I write to you so often - because that’s proof you actually listen to experts. The remaining large swaths of preserved nature are too precious to lose due to their role in providing clean air, carbon storage, and support for the food chain that ensures agriculture and hunting can continue. PLEASE, VOTE NO. Reject this destruction of one of our most precious shared goods. Public lands, on top of the money from tourism they provide to the economy and the environmental beenfits, are a national treasure. Beloved by so many Americans, including me. Please read Tracy Stone-Manning: ". Poll after poll shows that people of all stripes support public lands and want them conserved to protect wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation areas for future generations. “Public lands are figurative common ground, uniting people across the country.” While it is a nice proof-point to have, we don’t need polling data to tell us what people’s photo libraries, social media feeds, old family albums and bucket lists show us. Americans care deeply about public lands, intuitively understanding they are a national treasure." Imagine the loss to your children and grandchildren. Imagine the ecological destruction. Imagine how the painstakingly documented biodiversity crisis will accelerate, cutting species populations even further and endangering communities. NO MASS SELLING OF PUBLIC LANDS. No mining, drilling, and environmental destruction for short term private profit. Please restore the senate amendment to prohibit selling off our public lands.