The Trump administration rolled out a bold new idea this July: the “Make America Beautiful Again” Commission. This plan puts outdoor recreation, rural economies, and American traditions front and center.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is heading it up, and the goal is to make public lands more accessible, grow local economies, and get the federal government out of the way when it’s not helping.
Freedom to Roam, Fish, Hunt, and Breathe
For too long, many Americans have felt like they needed permission slips to enjoy land that’s supposed to belong to all of us. If you love being outdoors – whether you hunt, hike, fish, or just enjoy a quiet trail – it should be easier, not harder, to get out there.
This is about restoring a sense of ownership. Not just of the land, but of the lifestyle that comes with it.
A life where people get to spend time in nature instead of in line for permits.
A Big Win for Small Towns
Outdoor recreation isn’t just good for the soul, it’s good for business, too. More than five million jobs, $1.2 trillion in economic output, and most of that tied to places well outside the city limits.
When visitors come to hike a trail, catch a fish, or ride through the backcountry, they don’t just bring gear. They bring cash to spend at local diners, gas stations, motels, and hardware stores.
For rural communities, this is a foundation for growth.
The MABA plan also encourages better infrastructure. Broadband, trail systems, and even housing improvements; all things that help make a small town a place where people want to live, not just visit.
Less Waiting, More Doing
One of the best parts of the MABA order is how it tackles bureaucracy.
The goal isn’t to manage every rock and tree from a Washington office. It’s to let states, towns, and local groups get things done without asking for permission every step of the way.
Voluntary conservation, smart permitting, and local input are things that work. The less time spent pushing paper, the more time people can spend building, restoring, and improving the land they care about.
A Conservation Vision That Includes You
Conservation doesn’t have to mean locking the gate. With smart planning, we can protect wildlife and watersheds while still welcoming hunters, anglers, bikers, and families who just want a place to explore.
This is where MABA shines. It values stewardship, but trusts people to be part of it.
Instead of top-down rules, it encourages bottom-up solutions from local ranchers, state wildlife agencies, and volunteer groups who’ve been doing the work all along.
Rooted in Heritage, Focused on the Future
Hunting, fishing, and exploring the outdoors aren’t relics. They’re living traditions, especially in rural and conservative communities.
MABA doesn’t just allow those traditions – it defends them.
The Commission’s approach draws on the legacy of Roosevelt-era conservation, where land was protected for the public to enjoy, not just admire from a distance.
It reminds us that connecting with nature shouldn’t require a trust fund or a political cause.
A Chance to Get It Right
MABA offers a rare chance to realign policy with principle.
Local control. Individual freedom. Economic growth without sacrificing common sense.
These aren’t abstract ideals; they’re practical goals we can reach.
Implementation matters. The Commission will need to show results, not just promise them.
The groundwork is solid, and the vision is refreshingly straightforward: get Americans back outside, give rural towns a fighting chance, and manage land with care and common sense.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
