Tracy Stone-Manning’s planned exit as director of the Bureau of Land Management next year highlights the looming change in public land policies coming as President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
The Wilderness Society announced Tuesday that Stone-Manning will take over as president of the prominent conservation group starting Feb. 24. The organization touted the move as a natural fit after Stone-Manning’s tenure at BLM, where she has prioritized renewable energy development and making conservation a greater priority on BLM land, along with grazing, oil and gas drilling, and recreation.
Rue Mapp, co-chair of the Wilderness Society’s governing council, heralded Stone-Manning for having a “visionary approach to conservation and a proven ability to unite diverse voices in protecting our natural heritage.”
Kathleen Sgamma, president of Denver-based Western Energy Alliance, which represents oil and gas developers, took aim at the move. “It’s no surprise that a Democratic administration has a revolving door with the environmental lobby,” she said.
