Protect America’s forests and wildlife by keeping the Roadless Rule in place

Also consider the northern spotted owl—a symbol of the Pacific Northwest’s majestic old-growth forests—the iconic grizzly bears that roam the forests of the American West, colorful and charismatic red-cockaded woodpeckers, and myriad other species that crawl, swim, and fly across American landscapes. All rely on national forests for habitat and safe passage. 

Much like these amazing wild species, people benefit from healthy, intact forests. Safeguarding federally managed forests serves our collective interest. But now, alarmingly, the U.S. Forest Service is threatening to eliminate key protections for millions of acres.  

A potentially disastrous decision 

The Forest Service recently announced its intent to repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (‘Roadless Rule’), prioritizing extractive industries’ interests over the integrity of US public lands. We now have an opportunity to speak up for wildlife and public lands, as the Forest Service is accepting public comments on the proposed rescission until September 21.  

This proposed action flies in the face of longstanding public support for the Roadless Rule. Recent bipartisan polling shows 77% of voters support conserving roadless lands.  The rule was created with input from more than 1.6 million Americans, and in August 2025, more than half a million Americans responded with comments voicing strong opposition to the Forest Service’s notice of intent to repeal it.   

Before the Roadless Rule went into effect in 2001, industrial logging and federally subsidized roadbuilding disrupted or destroyed 3.2 million acres of key wildlife habitat annually. If the rule is rescinded, that destruction will resume.  

Contrary to the Forest Service’s statements in its rescission proposal, the Roadless Rule already provides for substantial flexibility to facilitate vegetation management, wildfire prevention and mitigation, and infrastructure development deemed necessary to support public health and safety. 

Raise your voice to protect American forests 

Americans have long expressed strong support for wildlife conservation, calling on our leaders to protect cherished species and their habitats. The Roadless Rule is an emblem of our nation’s commitment to innovative conservation strategies that balance the needs of wildlife and people.  

As animals and the forests they call home face longstanding and new challenges, we must work to preserve effective wildlife protection policies like the Roadless Rule. 

Let the Forest Service know that it can remain a leader in wildlife and public land conservation by withdrawing its proposal and keeping the Roadless Rule intact.