For decades, our family has proudly leased state-owned land in Idaho, using it for cattle grazing since the 1990s. In 2012, we renewed a 20-year lease agreement with the expectation of continuing this tradition, which is vital not just for our livelihood but for maintaining the region's agricultural heritage. However, to our shock, we recently discovered through a social media post that the state intends to terminate our lease prematurely and sell this public land to the highest bidder, supposedly a local landowner with considerable financial resources.

This impending sale is a significant departure from the principles of public land use and management in Idaho. By prioritizing private wealth over public stewardship, our state risks setting a dangerous precedent where public lands, meant to be preserved for public use and environmental sustainability, could become commodities available only to the affluent.

Public lands in Idaho are not only vital for ranchers like us but also for conservation efforts, wildlife habitat, and recreational activities that benefit all citizens. The benefits of maintaining these lands in public hands are far-reaching, from supporting local ecosystems to providing a space for the community to engage with nature.

The sale of this land not only threatens to disrupt our family’s livelihood, built over generations but also endangers the broader community's access to these open spaces, impacting future generations of Idahoans who deserve to enjoy and benefit from these resources.

We urge the decision-makers in Idaho to reconsider this sale, recognizing the long-term impacts on both the environment and the community. Instead, the state should focus on policies that balance economic development with environmental preservation and public access.

Please join us in this crucial effort to preserve Idaho's public lands. Your support is vital in voicing our collective disapproval of this sale, advocating for sustainable land management practices that honor both public interests and our legacy of being a rural ranching community. Sign our petition to stand against the sale of Idaho’s public lands and ensure these resources remain accessible for all.