Policy Update – May 2025
As summer heats up, we’re turning up the pressure on public lands policy.
Policy Director Letter
Hilary Eisen
(5/30/2025)
As May winds down and summer approaches, things are anything but quiet at Winter Wildlands Alliance. We’re full steam ahead—planning our 11th Grassroots Advocacy Conference, ramping up film submissions for the Backcountry Film Festival, and staying sharp on the ever-evolving conservation and public lands policy landscape. The Winter Wildlands Alliance staff is firing on all cylinders this month.
Here’s some of what’s happening on the policy front:
Grand Targhee Expansion — Speak Up by June 20!
The Grand Targhee ski area has proposed a major expansion, and we have serious concerns. The project would:
- Encroach on critical wildlife habitat
- Transform treasured backcountry terrain into developed ski runs
- Obstruct views from Grand Teton National Park
- Create significant socioeconomic challenges for Teton Valley, ID
We’re urging the Forest Service to rethink this proposal—and we need your voice too.
Budget Reconciliation Bill: Still a Threat
The Senate is now reviewing the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” passed by the House just before Memorial Day. While we were relieved to see some of the worst provisions removed—like public land sales and a push for the Ambler Road—it remains one of the most environmentally harmful bills we’ve ever seen.
We’re calling on the Senate to kill the bill.
Endangered Species Act at Risk
The Trump Administration has proposed rolling back the definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), narrowing it to only include actions that directly injure or kill a listed species.
For decades, the existing definition of “harm” under the ESA has protected the habitat that listed species depend on for survival. For example, during winter travel planning, we’ve used the ESA to push the Forest Service to manage over-snow vehicle use in ways that protect habitat for species like the Sierra Nevada red fox, grizzly bear, wolverine, lynx, and woodland caribou.
Winter Wildlands Alliance joined over 357,000 organizations and individuals in submitting comments opposing this loss of crucial habitat protection.
We’re Hiring a New Policy Director!
After 11 incredible years with Winter Wildlands Alliance, I’m heading off to pursue new adventures. We’re now looking for our next Policy Director—an energetic and organized policy wonk who loves human-powered winter recreation and cares deeply about public land conservation and sustainable winter access.
Maybe that’s you, or somebody you know?
