Growing up in Washington State, I was surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of our public lands — whether it was camping trips in the lush Olympic National Park, hiking in the Cascade Range, wondering the trails in Mount Rainier National Park or simply enjoying a quiet moment in one of our expansive forests. These lands hold a special place in my heart, not just as picturesque backdrops to countless family adventures, but as integral parts of our community's heritage and natural legacy. They are not just parcels of land; they are living tapestries of our state's history, our people's stories, and our shared love for the outdoors.

 

Unfortunately, these iconic landscapes are under threat. Increasingly, public lands in Washington State are being eyed for private sales and destructive developments, including logging, the construction of AI data centers, and luxurious developments reserved for a privileged few. Such actions undermine not only the ecological balance of these unique environments but also restrict public access to places meant for all to enjoy. They threaten to turn community treasures into exclusive playgrounds for millionaires, erasing the profound public benefit and joy these lands provide.

 

Washington's national parks and forests attract millions of visitors each year, contributing significantly to our local economy. They are refuge and recreation for thousands of residents, athletes, and visitors and serve as critical habitats for diverse wildlife species. Preserving them ensures that future generations will continue to benefit from their magnificence, creating memories and cultivating lifestyles deeply connected to the natural world.

 

The urgency for action cannot be overstated. We need to prioritize the protection of our public lands through sustainable stewardship practices, prohibiting unnecessary privatization, and ensuring any developments are ecologically sensitive and communal-focused. By strengthening land conservation laws and supporting local conservation efforts, we can safeguard the natural legacy that so many Washingtonians cherish.

 

Join me in calling upon our state legislators and government officials to take immediate action in protecting Washington State's public lands from private sales and destructive development. Let's make sure that our beloved national parks and forests remain open and accessible to everyone, not just a privileged few. Sign this petition to preserve the sanctity of Washington's public lands for today and for the generations that follow.

Here are just some of the places affected by all that’s listed above:

 

• Olympic National Forests

• Gifford Pinchot National Forest

• Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

• Oakanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

• North Cascades

• Lake Chelan

• Elwah Watershed

• Port Angeles, WA/Clallan County

• Quincy, WA/Grant County

• Cle Elum, WA/Kittitas County

• Skagit County

• Parts of Snohomish County

• Parts of King County

• Spokane County