Trump focuses on common sense conservation with two new executive orders

The president issued two orders this week expanding access to public lands, boosting collaborative conservation efforts, and recovering natural resources

by Summer Lane | July 4, 2025

President Donald Trump is embracing conservation with two new executive orders aimed at protecting American natural resources for generations to come by “conserving our great American national parks and outdoor recreation areas.”

The president’s first EO (establishing the ‘Make America Beautiful Again Commission’) was signed on Thursday and aims to accomplish several basic but common sense measures:

• Expand access to public lands,
• Encourage voluntary conservation efforts,
• Recover natural fish and wildlife populations through collaborative conservation efforts,
• Cut bureaucratic red tape interfering with “effective environmental management,”
• Promote “stewardship” of natural resources,
• Establish the “President’s Make America Beautiful Again Commission.”

“Through both innovation and commonsense policies, America can preserve its natural beauty and expand outdoor recreation opportunities for future generations,” the EO reads. “It is the policy of my Administration to prioritize responsible conservation, restore our lands and waters, and protect our Nation’s outdoor heritage for the enjoyment of the American people.”

According to the Washington Post, Thursday’s order on conservation and preserving natural resources stems from 27-year-old Benji Backer, a conservative environmentalist who drafted an order and brought it to the White House several months ago.

The president signed this order in tandem with a directive to improve American National Parks by directing the Department of the Interior to develop strategies for increasing revenue and improving recreational experiences.

This second order also directs National Parks to charge a higher admission fee to foreign tourists, while reserving lower-tier pricing for American citizens. U.S. residents will also receive priority access to National Parks, according to the White House.

“Charging higher entrance fees to foreign tourists is a common policy at national parks throughout the world that supports both conservation and affordable access for residents,” per the White House.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson noted on X, “This is great news for National Park lovers.”

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