While its mission has evolved, the DOI remains vital in protecting America’s environmental and cultural heritage. Yet, its role has often been threatened by political forces seeking to weaken environmental protections and prioritize corporate interests over public lands. The Trump administration’s efforts to undermine and gut agencies like the DOI serve as a cautionary tale about what happens when we neglect stewardship in favor of short-term exploitation.
Today, we celebrate the Department of the Interior’s enduring legacy and explore why its work is more important than ever.
The Founding of the Department of the Interior: A Landmark Moment
The DOI was officially established on March 3, 1849, just days before President James K. Polk left office. Before its creation, many of the responsibilities that the department would assume—such as managing public lands, overseeing Indian affairs, and handling patents—were scattered across various government agencies.
The creation of the DOI was precedent-setting because it consolidated these diverse responsibilities under one umbrella, making it one of the first federal agencies dedicated to domestic affairs. At the time, the U.S. was expanding westward at an unprecedented rate, and the federal government needed a centralized department to oversee the massive tracts of land being acquired, settled, and developed.
While its early years were marred by controversial policies, particularly in relation to Native American displacement, the DOI gradually evolved into a force for conservation and responsible land management. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it became a cornerstone of America’s environmental policy, a role that continues to this day.
The Mission of the Department of the Interior
The DOI’s mission is to “protect and manage the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provide scientific and other information about those resources; and honor its trust responsibilities to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities.”
In simpler terms, the DOI is responsible for:
- Managing over 480 million acres of public land—about 20% of the U.S. landmass
- Overseeing the nation’s national parks, wildlife refuges, and historic sites
- Conducting scientific research on geology, water, and natural disasters
- Managing water resources, including major river systems
- Upholding the U.S. government’s responsibilities to Native American tribes
- Regulating offshore energy development
From preserving breathtaking landscapes like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to ensuring the responsible use of water and mineral resources, the DOI plays a crucial role in both environmental protection and economic development.
Agencies Under the Department of the Interior
The DOI is home to several agencies that directly impact the environment, public lands, and Native American affairs. Among the most well-known:
National Park Service (NPS)
Created in 1916, the National Park Service (NPS) manages over 400 national parks, monuments, and historic sites across the U.S. These parks are not just beautiful landscapes; they are living history, preserving America’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Without the NPS, iconic places like Yosemite, the Everglades, and Mount Rainier would be vulnerable to exploitation and destruction.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Founded in 1879, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides critical scientific research on geology, water resources, and natural disasters. USGS scientists help us understand earthquakes, volcanoes, climate change, and water scarcity—issues that are becoming increasingly urgent as global temperatures rise.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees 245 million acres of public lands, primarily in the western U.S. The BLM’s role is controversial because it balances conservation with resource extraction, including grazing, logging, and oil and gas leasing. Under strong leadership, the BLM can be a force for sustainable land use, but under industry-friendly administrations, it has been used to sell off public lands to the highest bidder.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) upholds the federal government’s legal and treaty obligations to Native American tribes. While its history is fraught with injustices, today the BIA plays a crucial role in supporting tribal sovereignty, economic development, and self-determination.
These agencies and others like the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Bureau of Reclamation are essential to managing America’s natural and cultural resources.
The Importance of the DOI Today
The DOI’s work is more critical than ever in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing pressure on public lands. The department helps protect the country’s fragile ecosystems, from the Arctic tundra to the deserts of the Southwest. It also plays a key role in managing water supplies, an increasingly contentious issue in drought-prone states like California and Arizona.
Furthermore, the DOI serves as a vital counterbalance to industries that seek to exploit public lands for profit. Whether it’s oil drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or logging on forest lands, the DOI’s leadership can determine whether these lands are protected or sacrificed to corporate interests.
The Trump Administration’s Attack on the DOI
The Trump administration waged an unprecedented assault on the DOI and its mission. Under Trump’s Interior Secretaries—first Ryan Zinke, then David Bernhardt, a former oil lobbyist, and now Doug Burgum the department is being hollowed out and redirected to serve private interests.
Some of the most damaging policies included:
- Shrinking national monuments: Trump reduced the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments by millions of acres, opening them to mining and drilling.
- Prioritizing oil and gas leasing: The BLM ramped up leasing public lands for oil and gas drilling, often at rock-bottom prices.
- Weakening protections for endangered species: The Fish and Wildlife Service was pressured to delay or roll back protections for species like the sage grouse, which stood in the way of energy development.
- Relocating BLM headquarters: In a move that gutted the agency, Trump’s DOI relocated the Bureau of Land Management’s headquarters to Colorado, prompting an exodus of experienced staff.
- Firing of rangers and other personnel: The firing of thousands of DOI employees, making it harder for the federal government to fight wildfires, stop poaching, mitigate climate change, and manage recreation.
- Selling of public lands and resources: Trump orders sites like the Presidio to justify its existence and liquidate public lands and facilities.
These attacks weren’t just bad for the environment; they are bad for democracy, as they prioritized private profits over public interests.
A Future Built on Conservation and Stewardship
The Department of the Interior represents the best of American values: stewardship, conservation, and a commitment to future generations. Every time we visit a national park, see a bald eagle in the wild, or drink clean water from a protected watershed, we are benefiting from the DOI’s work.
Yet, the threats remain. Special interests and anti-environment politicians continue to push for drilling, logging, and deregulation. That’s why we must remain vigilant and support leaders who understand the importance of conservation and public lands.
As we celebrate the DOI’s March 3 anniversary, let’s recognize its profound contributions—and recommit ourselves to protecting it from those who would tear it down. The future of our parks, wildlife, and public lands depends on it.
As always, here are five simple things concerned citizens can do to voice opposition to executive overreach.
