Public Lands Under Attack: And how we defend them

Nevada’s vast public lands are more than just breathtaking landscapes — they’re part of our identity, our economy, and our future. They provide clean water, recreation, wildlife habitats, and climate resilience, supporting both rural and urban communities. But right now, they’re under siege.

The current administration’s relentless push for privatization threatens to strip these lands from public hands, opening them up to unchecked mining, drilling, and development. If we don’t act now, Nevada’s open spaces — and public lands across the country — could be lost to corporate interests forever.

Join us for this critical conversation to discuss:

• Why public lands matter to Nevada’s communities, economy, and environment
• How federal policies are accelerating land privatization and corporate control
• What’s at stake if we lose the fight — and how you can take action

Why This Matters

What happens here will set a precedent for the entire country. If public lands in Nevada — one of the most federally managed states — fall into private hands, other states will follow. The national push to dismantle land protections threatens millions of acres across the U.S., endangering Indigenous lands, wildlife, and outdoor recreation access for all.

About the Sierra Club

The Toiyabe Chapter is the Sierra Club's regional team of staff and activists covering Nevada and the Eastern Sierra from the Tahoe basin south through Death Valley. They are the region's largest and most powerful volunteer, grassroots conservation organization representing more than 40,000 members and supporters locally, and roughly four million members and supporters nationwide. From their outings program to their legislative and political work, the Toiyabe Chapter is invested in empowering people to make a difference in their communities. Learn more at www.sierraclub.org/toiyabe.

Meet Our Speaker: Olivia Tanager, Executive Director of the Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club

Olivia moved to Reno in 2021 and quickly fell in love with the wild beauty of the Great Basin. As an environmental advocate, she has worked closely with impacted communities to push for community-driven solutions to environmental challenges. With a background in environmental studies, geology, and public policy, Olivia is committed to fighting for Nevada’s public lands and the people who depend on them.