Monica Rubio Berkshire Hathaway and Acore Construction MBE WBE DBE

10/11/2026

10/11/2026

I have never been very good at exercising – I like the idea more than the practice! But it wouldn’t be overstating the case to say that the Conqueror Challenges have completely changed my whole outlook on things.

10/10/2026

This cannot be ignored…😔

The Trump administration has shifted public land policies toward energy production, resource extraction, and multiple-use management, while conservation groups and independent analyses report significant rollbacks of federal protections. [1, 2, 3]
# # Major Policy Actions and Rollbacks

* Public Lands Rule: In May 2026, the Department of the Interior formally rescinded the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Conservation and Landscape Health Rule (known as the Public Lands Rule), removing its equal priority for conservation alongside mining, ranching, and drilling. [2, 4]
* Roadless Rule: In August 2026, the Department of Agriculture moved to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, removing roadless and timber-harvest protections across nearly 45 million acres of the National Forest System. [2]
* National Monument Adjustments: In July 2026, presidential proclamations modified boundaries for national monuments, including reducing Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears. [5]
* Energy and Infrastructure Swaps: In June 2026, the administration approved a land exchange trading 715 acres of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge for SpaceX facility expansion in Starbase, Texas. [6]

# # Administration vs. Critic Perspectives

* The White House and BLM Stance: The administration [The White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/09/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-reinvigorates-americas-hunting-heritage/) and the [Bureau of Land Management](https://www.blm.gov/blog/2026-01-06/progress-public-lands-blm-2025-trump-administration-accomplishments-jan-20-Dec-31-2025) state that these steps cut red tape, promote energy dominance, support local ranching and timber, and expand public access for hunting and fishing. [2, 3]
* Conservation and Independent Assessments: Organizations such as the [Center for American Progress](https://www.americanprogress.org/article/unprotecting-american-lands-how-trump-is-dismantling-americas-bipartisan-conservation-legacy/) and [The Wilderness Society](https://www.wilderness.org/interactive-map-see-which-public-lands-are-threatened-early-trump-orders) contend that these rollbacks strip safeguards from over 86 million acres of public lands, threatening endangered species habitats, Arctic wildlife areas, and watershed protections. [1, 7, 8]

[1] [https://www.americanprogress.org](https://www.americanprogress.org/article/unprotecting-american-lands-how-trump-is-dismantling-americas-bipartisan-conservation-legacy/)
[2] [https://www.whitehouse.gov](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/09/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-reinvigorates-americas-hunting-heritage/)
[3] [https://www.blm.gov](https://www.blm.gov/blog/2026-01-06/progress-public-lands-blm-2025-trump-administration-accomplishments-jan-20-Dec-31-2025)
[4] [https://insideclimatenews.org](https://insideclimatenews.org/news/12052026/trump-blm-repeals-public-lands-conservation-rule/)
[5] [https://www.whitehouse.gov](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/07/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-modifies-two-national-monuments-restoring-sensible-land-management/)
[6] [https://www.americanprogress.org](https://www.americanprogress.org/article/public-land-swaps-for-private-gain-how-the-trump-administration-is-trading-away-public-lands-for-corporate-benefit/)
[7] [https://www.wilderness.org](https://www.wilderness.org/interactive-map-see-which-public-lands-are-threatened-early-trump-orders)
[8] [https://biologicaldiversity.org](https://biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/Trump-administration-sale-of-public-lands/index.html)

The Trump administration’s plan to sell federal public land for sprawl development could bulldoze endangered species habitat, canyons and forests across the West — from protected red cliffs in Utah to national monuments in New Mexico — according to a new map analysis from the Center for Biolog...

10/10/2026

10/10/2026

We won a 2026 ACAP Award!

The 2026 ACAP County Team Award was presented to the Chester County Conservation District for their outstanding work delivering ACAP across three counties. In addition to administering ACAP within Chester County, the Ag Team has also taken on the responsibility of administering ACAP in Philadelphia County and assisting with program administration in neighboring Delaware County. The team has embodied the expertise, collaboration, and dedication necessary to successfully deliver programs that make a lasting impact on Pennsylvania agriculture and water quality. As the team has taken on these responsibilities, they have continually adapted their processes, strengthened coordination, and maintained a high level of customer service, all while managing an increasing number of applications, contracts, sealed bids, surveys, engineering designs, and construction projects. Leading the way is Christian Strohmaier, the managing director of the district and Dan Miloser, Agricultural Team Leader. The team consists of Briana Johanson, Laurell Bostdorf, Jeff Griffiths, Ben Drover, Kara Schoch, Thomas D'Lauro, Marcus Bowser, Emily Greenwood, Paige LaDuca, and Karen Stasen. Two district board members, Fran Iacobucci and Tom Brosius, were also included in this nomination for their efforts specific to ACAP.

you can read more about the ACAP Awards and winners here: https://extension.psu.edu/ag-conservation-pros-recognized-at-2026-acap-awards