LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Groups across the state are fighting to protect Nevada’s public lands and the environment.

Wednesday, environmental groups and Nevada lawmakers came together in Carson City to push back against federal firings and funding freezes saying it is impacting Nevada’s conservation and climate efforts.

“The future of our families, our neighborhoods, and our planet depends on the choices we make right now,” argued Assemblymember Tanya Flanagan who represents North Las Vegas. Those who came together say ongoing environmental challenges at the state and federal levels must be overcome to protect Nevada’s water, land, air, and communities.

“Public lands are being treated like private property. If they think they can auction off Nevada’s lands to the highest bidder, they will have to contend with the thousands of Nevadans who will tell them to stop looking at Nevada and public lands as a piggy bank,” asserted Olivia Tanager with the Sierra Club. Tanager contends the fight to protect Nevada is being made more difficult by substantial changes at the federal level.

“This work is and always has been deeply personal to me and last week Donald Trump just made it a whole lot more personal. My husband, a first generation high school/ college graduate, is studying water science at UNR. Last week, the Trump Administration cancelled the National Science Foundation grant cutting clean water research,” Tanager revealed.

Cliff Banuelos with Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada echoed that, saying federal changes leave an uncertain future for Nevada tribes and their land.

“Under the Trump Administration, looks like Region 9 is closing their regional office and they are going to cut our funding, so that would close most Nevada tribal environmental programs,” Banuelos shared.

Nevada lawmakers also touted their environmental proposals this session.

Assemblymember Venicia Considine who represents southeast Las Vegas is pushing for Assembly Bill 244, a ban on styrofoam at businesses operating 10 or more restaurants in Nevada saying it often ends up polluting Nevada lakes like Tahoe and Lake Mead.

Other proposals including AB85, protecting bees and butterflies and AB405 converting open land to urban farms.

Wednesday, the Assembly also heard SB405 which already passed the Senate. It would create a Transit-to-Trails task force helping connect public transit to trails, so people without a car can enjoy public lands.

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