Teddy Wouldn’t Stand for This

Why the Fight to Protect National Monuments Is More Urgent Than Ever

I never intended for this blog to become political.

My idea behind it has always been to educate, spark curiosity, and shed light on the environmental challenges we face. It was never to draw a line in the sand, because I was raised by both a Democrat and a Republican, making me a Centrist who has fallen in love with the majority of what the Green Party represents. However, sometimes decisions made behind closed doors create ripple effects that impact the very landscapes on which we depend. This is one of those occasions. The recent decision by the Department of Justice to permit a sitting president to eliminate or reduce national monuments isn’t just a legal footnote; it poses a threat to our natural and cultural heritage.

What Are National Monuments, and Why Do They Exist?

Areas of public land within the United States that are protected for their scientific, cultural, historical, or environmental value are national monuments. Unlike national parks, which require Congress to approve them, national monuments are created directly by presidential authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906. This was signed into law by President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, allowing a sitting president to declare national monuments to safeguard land or objects of historical or scientific interest. Designed to swiftly respond to threats of looting, overgrazing, and the destruction of sacred and irreplaceable lands. Teddy used it to protect massive landscapes, setting a precedent for preservation through executive action.

From Roosevelt to Obama, every president, except three, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, has used the Antiquities Act to create national monuments. Since the creation of the act, over 120 national monuments have been established, even though some have been abolished or redesignated by Congress.

Why Teddy Still Inspires Me

My favorite president, by far, is Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, not because of his rugged energy or bold leadership, but due to his deep commitment to protecting the natural world. Thanks to him, over 230 million acres of forests, mountains, rivers, and plains were shielded from destruction, which formed the backbone of America’s public lands system.

I also love him because of the story behind the “Teddy Bear.”

In 1902, on a hunting trip in Mississippi, Roosevelt famously refused to shoot a bear that had been tied up for him. He saw it as inhumane and unsportsmanlike. That small act of compassion inspired a cartoon, which led to the creation of the very first “Teddy Bear.” It became an icon of childhood and still stands as a symbol of the ethical treatment of wildlife. When I was young, I remember getting a Teddy Bear with the story of Teddy Roosevelt's hunting trip. It sparked curiosity and a passion to do what is right.

To me, Roosevelt represents what leadership should look like when it comes to environmental issues: bold, ethical, and forward-thinking.

Why These Places Matter

More than just a scenic view, national monuments preserve:

·       Critical wildlife habitats and biodiversity

·       Indigenous sacred sites and archaeological records

·       Unique geologic formations and fossil beds

·       Carbon sinks and watersheds, which are vital for climate resilience

·       Outdoor recreation spaces that fuel local economies

What Could Be at Stake

1. Bears Ears National Monument (Utah)

   
   

   Co-managed by an alliance of Native American tribes, it protects thousands of archaeological and spiritual sites.

2. Grand Staircase-Escalante (Utah)

   
   

   A fossil-rich landscape teeming with scientific and ecological value.

3. Muir Woods National Monument (California)

   
   

   Home to ancient redwoods, these trees have stood tall for over a millennium.

4. Papahānaumokuākea Marine Monument (Hawaii)

   
   

   One of the world’s largest marine protected areas which is critical for coral reefs and ocean health.

5. Statue of Liberty National Monument (New York)

   
   

   A symbol of freedom and immigration, even urban landmarks can be national monuments.

U.S. vs. the U.K.: A Stark Contrast in Preservation

Only approximately 13% of America’s vast geographic land is protected for conservation (USGS, 2023). Though the UK is much smaller than the United States, about 28% of its land is protected through national parks, nature reserves, and scientific conservation sites. Meaning the U.K. is preserving a larger proportion of its land base than the United States. Yet we have far more wilderness to begin with. If anything, we should be leading by example, not pulling back.

What Happens If We Lose These Protections?

The Department of Justice’s new opinion will allow a president to shrink or revoke national monuments, which has never been formally permitted before. Even though this will not be the first time it has happened, it could lead to further degradation of our natural resources.

This could lead to:

• Mining, drilling, and development on previously protected lands

• Erosion of tribal co-management agreements and Indigenous rights

• Destruction of archaeological and cultural resources

• Accelerated climate change due to habitat loss and pollution

• Loss of clean water sources and carbon sinks

These aren’t abstract fears; they’re proven outcomes of removing protections. We saw it during past monument reductions, and we’ll likely see it again if this power is unchecked.

In 1915, Woodrow Wilson was the first president to attempt to reduce the size of national monuments. Thus, reducing the size of Mount Olympus National Monument (in Washington State) by nearly half. The monument had been initially established by President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt in 1909 to protect Roosevelt elk and old-growth forest. Wilson’s administration argued the land was needed for timber production, especially during the buildup to World War I. This act was not challenged in court, and because it was relatively uncontroversial at the time, it set a quiet precedent that later administrations would reference.

Franklin D. Roosevelt also adjusted monument boundaries, but very modestly. Unlike President Trump, who in 2017 made the most dramatic reductions in U.S. history:

• Bears Ears National Monument was reduced by 85%

• Grand Staircase–Escalante was reduced by about 50%

Thankfully, these moves were legally challenged, and President Biden later restored both monuments in 2021.

Why We Must Speak Up

These lands are not just wilderness. They are teachers, healers, and history books. They are spiritual homes, carbon vaults, and economic engines for local communities. In a world racing toward ecological tipping points, the durability of these protections must be seen as a non-negotiable legacy, not a political pawn.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s a remote desert plateau, a deep forest grove, or a windswept marine reef, national monuments are one of the last frontiers of unspoiled, sacred, and wild America. They protect not just land, but legacy.

To dismantle them is to forget why they were created in the first place. And for those of us who care deeply, like Teddy once did, this is not just a policy issue. It’s a moral one.

Take Action: Protect What’s Wild and Worth Saving

National monuments are under threat.

A new DOJ opinion could allow presidents to erase protections for our most sacred and wild places.

Here’s how you can help:

·       Share this blog to raise awareness

·       Call your representatives, demand legislation to protect monuments from rollback

·       Support tribal and conservation organizations on the frontlines

·       Use your voice on social media, with #ProtectMonuments and

 Let’s remind decision-makers: these lands belong to everyone, not just to political agendas.