Spark Talk: The Battle Over Public Lands

In partnership with Searchlight New Mexico, SAR is pleased to host Spark Talks, a summer series of discussions on issues of interest to all New Mexicans: the future of public lands; the importance of archives to history and free expression; and the unprecedented challenges facing higher education here and nationally.

The Battle Over Public Lands

The first formal designation of “public lands” by the U.S. government was the creation of Yosemite Valley as a park in 1864, followed by the establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872. Eventually, more than 650 million acres across the states would be designated public lands. Parallel to the evolution of this designation has been a complex dialogue over ethical and legal implications of what we collectively mean when we use this term.

From combating resource extraction and honoring Indigenous land rights to questioning what public access means today, what are the current debates about public lands and how can we understand them in historical context?

Tickets: $10 general admission, $5 for SAR and Searchlight members.
Limited seating. Advance purchase encouraged.

Gates open at 9 AM for coffee. Talk begins at 9:30 AM.