Grassroots Movement in Pinedale Grows as Residents Rally to Protect Public Lands

A growing grassroots movement in the small town of Pinedale is drawing attention to the importance of preserving public lands amid renewed political discussion around their potential sale.

Concerned citizens, including residents, activists, researchers, and visitors, have taken to Pine Street in recent weeks to express their support for public land access and their concerns about proposals that could lead to privatization.

The movement intensified following Utah Senator Mike Lee’s proposal to sell off certain federally managed lands, which drew national attention and bipartisan pushback. In Pinedale, a rally held on June 28 attracted over 50 people — the largest to date — waving American flags and signs like “Protect Our Public Lands” and “Honk for Public Lands.” Organizers reported nearly 300 supportive responses from passing vehicles, including many with Sublette County license plates.

Although Lee later withdrew the proposal, citing widespread opposition, the momentum in Pinedale has continued. Many attendees said they feared similar future efforts, pointing to what they described as a lack of public consultation, details, and transparency in the original plan.

Activists such as Karla Bird have raised their voices locally, presenting concerns to Sublette County officials, who subsequently issued a letter to Wyoming’s congressional delegation — Rep. Harriet Hageman and Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis — urging them to oppose public land sales.

Bird and others noted that, even though Lee’s revised plan targeted Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands near population centers, the potential consequences for wildlife migration corridors and recreational access remain significant.

Longtime Wyoming Game and Fish Department employee Dan Stroud echoed these concerns: “Public lands are imperative for our wildlife’s future,” he said, emphasizing their role in supporting habitat and migration.

Others at the rally included summer interns studying local wildlife, visitors from out of state, and a US Forest Service employee who chose to remain anonymous. All expressed personal or professional stakes in maintaining open access to public lands.

“There’s something about the experiences people have on these lands that shapes lives,” the Forest Service employee said. “That’s hard to replicate behind closed gates.”

The June 28 demonstration was the first of its kind in Pinedale to be formally advertised with flyers, organized by members of the Women’s Advocacy Group, including Bird and Jocelyn Slack. What began as occasional, small protests in early 2024 has evolved into a broader local movement, drawing larger and more diverse crowds.

Pinedale resident Kelly Ravner, who has helped organize and document these events, noted the shift from low-key gatherings to visible, public-facing demonstrations. Using a clicker counter, she tracked increased engagement and support at each rally. On June 28, she estimated that 30% of passing vehicles showed signs of support.

Visitors to the area have joined in as well. Tourists from Wisconsin, Karl Kuhn and Jennifer Hockenbery, saw a flyer in a local restaurant and decided to join the rally before continuing their public lands trip through the Wyoming Range and Half Moon Lake.

As of now, no specific dates have been announced for future rallies, but organizers say interest continues to grow.

The original story by Joy Ufford at WyoFile.