Emily Wakild

Cecil D. Andrus Endowed Chair for the Environment and Public Lands, Boise State University

Snow National Monument

Interior secretary manages vast lands that all Americans share − and can sway the balance between conservation and development

Interior handles natural resources and domestic affairs – primarily managing 480 million acres (200 million hectares) of federal lands and developing the assets that they hold. Many of these lands are officially open for multiple uses, including energy development, mining, logging, livestock grazing and recreation.

January 9, 2025