On June 15th, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) will hold a forum on public lands. The forum will examine the emergence of anti-government threats to parks, forests, wildlife refuges, historic sites and recreation lands across America.

For those of us who live in the West and love its wide open spaces, wildlife and access to the outdoors, the rate of development is a common lament. But a new study shows exactly how much and how fast we are losing our natural areas.

We commend Secretary Jewell for taking a comprehensive look at an outdated and subsidized resource program and for integrating the goals of sound and sustainable land management with the President's goals to address climate change.