Dakota Resource Council
Protecting Teddy’s Legacy:
Public Lands Under Threat
The opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora on July 4, 2026 is a historic moment for North Dakota. It is being promoted as a grand celebration of Roosevelt’s deep connection to the Badlands and his enduring conservation legacy.
But a major contradiction sits at the heart of this celebration.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum played a leading role in advancing this library project. Yet while celebrating Roosevelt’s historic achievements in public, his administration is actively overseeing efforts that critics argue weaken conservation protections and expand extractive development on the very public lands Teddy fought to protect.
We cannot allow political rhetoric to replace actual stewardship. If Theodore Roosevelt used the power of government to safeguard public lands for future generations, what does it mean when current leaders weaken those protections while standing in his shadow?
Teddy Protected Public Land. Burgum Sold It.
Dakota Resource Council believes that Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy is not just history. It is a living set of principles, and we refuse to let current federal land management decisions dodge accountability.
The contrast could not be sharper:
- The Roosevelt Legacy: Establishing unprecedented protections for public lands, wildlife and natural resources to ensure they belong to all Americans.
- The Current Reality: Rolling back and weakening long-standing conservation protections to favor corporate and extractive interests.
Doug Burgum’s policies represent the opposite of Roosevelt’s conservation principles.
True conservation requires protecting our shared lands, honoring Tribal communities, and supporting the hunters, anglers and outdoor recreation enthusiasts who rely on these spaces.
Take Action: Hold Leaders Accountable
We are launching a targeted campaign during the library opening to ensure that the true future of public lands remains part of the conversation. We are bringing together conservation advocates, Tribal perspectives and public land users to demand real stewardship instead of empty rhetoric.
Don’t let them rewrite history while selling out our future.
Stand Up for North Dakota's Public Lands
Dakota Resource Council has been organizing grassroots support for land stewardship and community accountability for decades.
If you believe that our public lands should be protected instead of sold out, stand with us today.