Tracy Stone-Manning, the current director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under the Biden administration, is set to lead the Wilderness Society after her tenure in federal service. Her appointment has sparked discussions due to her controversial past linked to an eco-terrorism incident involving EarthFirst! in the 1980s.

Stone-Manning's political career has been marked by controversy, particularly concerning her involvement with tree spiking, a form of ecoterrorism where metal spikes are placed in trees to prevent logging. This act can be dangerous as it risks damaging equipment and injuring operators. Stone-Manning had reportedly retyped and sent an anonymous letter to the U.S. Forest Service about such an attack and later cooperated with authorities for legal immunity.

Her nomination by President Biden in 2021 was contentious, with evidence emerging during Senate confirmation hearings that appeared to contradict her statements regarding her involvement in the incident. Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT), among others, raised concerns about her testimony, leading to ethics complaints against her.

Despite these issues, Stone-Manning was confirmed as BLM director. As President Biden's term concludes, she will transition to a leadership role at the Wilderness Society. Michael Chamberlain, director of PPT, commented on this move: "Contrary to the claims of the Biden-Harris administration, it looks as though the revolving door between federal service and powerful special interests is spinning faster than ever," adding that Stone-Manning’s new position exemplifies close ties between government appointees and influential groups.