The History & Future of America’s Public Land with Walt Dabney
Doors: 7:00 PM || Film: 7:30 PM || $10 Online / $15 At The Door
Setting: Seated film screening with discussion
America’s public lands are unique in the world and a treasure owned by all Americans. Walt Dabney’s 60-minute presentation on the history of America’s public lands accurately explores the answers to many questions about our public lands in a way no one else has, including how we acquired them, why there are more public lands in the West, and why they are worth preserving.
Learn about:
– The origin story of public lands
– The US Constitution and public lands
– Statehood acts/state constitutions and public lands
– How public lands became privately owned
– Why most public lands are in the West
…and SO much more!
Recorded in Moab, Utah, March 16, 2024, at a presentation to Southern Utah’s Outdoor Guides and Outfitters.
This film was made possible by Canyonlands Natural History Association.
Produced by Finley Holiday Productions for Canyonlands Natural History Association and Walt Dabney.
Retired National Park Service leader and Director of Texas State Parks
About Walt Dabney
George Bristol, director of the Texas Coalition for Conservation, calls Dabney one of those unsung heroes who made the tenet that parks are America’s best idea a reality at the state and local levels. During tough times for parks, Walt’s commitment, plus the support of thousands of citizens, helped make the case for increased funding for state and local parks. A 1969 Texas A&M graduate, Dabney took the reins of TPWD’s State Parks Division after 30 years with the National Park Service. At the helm of Texas State Parks, he was instrumental in working with constituent groups and the Legislature to transform a park system suffering from worn-out equipment, deteriorating facilities, and sagging employee morale into a better-funded, more professional, customer-oriented, and technologically savvy operation. Dabney worked with state park support groups, such as the Texas Coalition for Conservation and Texans for State Parks, to help articulate park needs and opportunities. This included highlighting university research reported in 2005, which showed that state spending on parks generated roughly $800 million in retail sales and accounted for almost 12,000 jobs.
“State Parks Getaways – Texas Parks and Wildlife E-Newsletter.” Texas.gov, 2025, tpwd.texas.gov/newsletters/state_parks_getaways/2010vacation/dyk.phtml. Accessed 28 May 2025.
