The Make America Beautiful Again (MABA) Commission has announced the launch of its MABA 250 initiative, a long-term strategy aimed at conserving natural resources and expanding outdoor recreation in the United States. The commission, chaired by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, will use this framework to guide conservation policies for the next 250 years.
The MABA commission’s responsibilities include balancing environmental stewardship with economic growth, restoring wildlife and habitats, and protecting public lands for future generations. A formal report on its progress is expected to coincide with the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library as part of America’s 250th anniversary commemorations.
At a White House event marking the launch, officials highlighted accomplishments made since President Donald J. Trump established the commission on July 3, 2025.
"President Donald J. Trump is ushering in America's Golden Age - protecting our nation's rich history, safeguarding our landscapes that tell our nation’s story, and securing a brighter future for every American," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "President Trump is a visionary for our country just like President Theodore Roosevelt. Through American Energy Dominance, expanded access to outdoor recreation, and an end to burdensome red tape, the Trump administration has already taken monumental steps to Make America Beautiful Again. By honoring our past while building for our future, through responsible conservation, the MABA 250 initiative’s groundbreaking framework will ensure our nation's treasured lands and historic legacy are responsibly managed and preserved for centuries to come."
The administration outlined several priority areas under MABA 250: balancing resource development with environmental protection; increasing access to hunting, fishing and other recreation; expanding voluntary conservation programs; reducing bureaucratic obstacles; and supporting habitat recovery through partnerships.
"President Trump understands that conservation and economic growth are strategic partners, not competing priorities. When we develop our resources responsibly, we also advance American industry. The Make America Beautiful Again Commission reflects that belief and forges a path where stewardship, prosperity, and national strength move together. That's smart leadership," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.
“The Make America Beautiful Again Commission renews our promise to care for this nation not as owners but as stewards, protecting the land that built our freedom and feeds our future. True patriotism is measured not only in how we build our nation, but in how gently we leave our footprints upon its soil,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “The work we do today investing in healthy landscapes, preventing wildfires, and supporting the communities who depend on these lands ensures future Americans inherit not only the beauty of this country but also the strength and security its natural resources provide.”
“Clean air, land, and water for all Americans is not just a priority of President Trump but it is a mandate from the American people,” said Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. “We are home to some of the most extraordinary landmarks, natural landscapes, and geographic treasures on the globe. This Administration has been notching environmental win after environmental win and have no plans of slowing down. Honored to do my part to Make America Beautiful Again!”
“The MABA 250 initiative will ensure President Trump’s conservation legacy is passed down to future generations of Americans, built to last for the next 250 years and beyond,” said Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Katherine Scarlett. “We are carrying out President Trump’s directive to cut red tape and streamline permitting improving implementation of environmental policies like NEPA to maintain our Nation’s vast beauty without sacrificing economic growth and security.”
"Under President Trump's leadership, the Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works team is working to ensure that Americans continue to have unprecedented access to the natural beauty and recreational opportunities available to the public at our USACE facilities,” said Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle. “We are also working aggressively to restore world class ecosystems such as the Florida Everglades. The Army Corps of Engineers is proud to be a part of President Trump's 'Make America Beautiful Again' initiative as we celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary this year."
During his presidency prior terms included signing into law significant legislation such as The Great American Outdoors Act which provided major funding boosts for park maintenance projects across federal lands—the largest such measure since Theodore Roosevelt's era—and directing agencies toward forest health management initiatives along with private sector engagement in conservation efforts.
Recently announced grant reallocations totaling about $8 million were directed towards supporting big-game winter range preservation projects—particular attention being paid toward migration corridors vital for wildlife sustainability—reflecting ongoing commitments under these new frameworks.
