Elizabeth's Warren Plan for Public Lands

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) recently published a detailed plan to protect public lands.

2 minute read

April 19, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Bureau of Land Management

Zack Frank / Shutterstock

It's no secret that the Trump administration has worked throughout its first term to undercut the size and protections of public land. If elected, Democratic candidate for president and senator from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren promises to increase protections of public lands, while also increasing access to public lands.

Leah Dunleavy reports on the proposals included in Warren's plan for public lands:

Warren wants to make public lands part of the solution to climate change, not a contributor. Her proposal includes an executive order (to be implemented on her first day as president) that would eliminate new fossil fuel leases for drilling offshore and on public lands. She also calls for increasing renewable energy on public lands.

In addition, Warren intends to the use of the Antiquities Act to restore protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase–Escalante national monuments in Utah, which President Donald Trump reduced in 2017.

Dunleavy also reports criticisms of Warren from some in the environmental movement for not being strong enough on climate change, and digs into more of the specific policy proposals included in the plan.

Planetizen is not endorsing Warren's candidacy for president, but continuing an ongoing effort to highlight the policy positions of candidates in the 2020 presidential election. Previous posts have focused on the campaign platforms of senators Corey Booker (D-New Jersey) and Kamala Harris (D-California), as well as South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Planetizen has been closely monitoring public land policy under the Trump administration, mostly organized under the U.S. Department of the Interior tag. 

Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pacific Standard

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of man in manually operated wheelchair waiting at urban crosswalk.

Making Mobility More Inclusive

A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

30 minutes ago - Greater Good Magazine

US and Texas flags flying in front of Texas state capitol dome in Austin, Texas.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness

A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

1 hour ago - The Texas Tribune

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

2 hours ago - Inside Climate News