Opinion | Not for sale, protecting our public lands

Not for sale, protecting our public lands

By Lena Fowler, Coconino County District 5 supervisor

As a lifelong resident of Coconino County and member of the Navajo Nation, I know just how deeply rooted our connection is to the land and how vital our public lands are to our identity and future. These lands define Northern Arizona, and they must remain in public hands. From Glen Canyon, Grand Canyon, and the red rocks of Sedona, to the San Francisco Peaks and the newly designated Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National Monument, public lands drive our economy, preserve Native American heritage and provide an outdoor experience that draws visitors from around the world.

The designation of Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National Monument is a testament to the power of partnership and the importance of federal stewardship. This monument protects lands of immense cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance to tribal nations and all Arizonans. It stands as a promise that we will honor and safeguard our shared heritage.

In addition, tourism and outdoor recreation are cornerstones of Coconino County’s economy. Visitors come here to hike, hunt, camp, fish, and experience the cultural and natural beauty that surrounds Flagstaff, Williams, Page, Fredonia, Tuba City and our many tribal communities. Privatizing these lands is short-sighted and would erase the character and economy of northern Arizona.

This is why I stand firmly against proposals to sell or transfer public lands to private ownership. These efforts, led by Utah Sen. Mike Lee, threaten public access, local jobs, tribal pilgrimages, seasonal traditions, wildlife habitats, and the natural beauty of our region.

Coconino County has a longstanding record of opposing efforts to sell or transfer public lands. For decades, our county leaders, residents, and tribes have stood together to resist proposals that limit public access and jeopardize our natural heritage. Our opposition is rooted in the belief that these lands belong to all Americans, not just a privileged few.

Federal agencies, like the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management, have long partnered with Coconino County and our communities. These relationships protect sacred sites, provide recreation, manage forest health, and ensure that everyone can enjoy these lands. When lands are federally managed, they remain open and accessible. Once they are sold or transferred, they can be fenced off, developed, or exploited, permanently changing how we use and connect to the land.

We urge Arizona’s Congressional delegation to stand firmly with us and the majority of Arizonans. In 2012, Arizona voters rejected land transfer proposals by a two-to-one margin. It’s now 2025 and we haven’t changed our minds. We need our elected representatives to protect the Antiquities Act, oppose budget deals that include land sales, fully fund the Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management, and support policies that strengthen local partnerships and safeguard our lands for the next generation.

Coconino County is not alone. Across the West, we are united by a shared truth: our public lands are not for sale. This is not about politics, it’s about our future. The forests, canyons, and sacred spaces of Northern Arizona belong to all of us. Let’s keep our public lands in public hands.