The J. Burden Show Selling your Birthright w/ Braxton McCoy: The J. Burden Show Ep. 471
17 snips
May 1, 2026 
Braxton McCoy, conservation advocate and founder of the Sagebrush Institute, joins to discuss public lands policy and Western conservation. He recounts his rural roots and why he launched a new organization. They debate the politics around selling federal land, mineral interests, and how Western wildlands shape regional identity and culture.
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Conservation Wins Need Right Wing Framing
- Braxton McCoy built Sagebrush after realizing mainstream conservation messaging didn't persuade right-wing lawmakers.
- He used targeted, right-leaning framing and media appearances (including Tucker Carlson) to force the issue into political conversations and recruit support.
Two Weeks Of Trolling Led To A Media Break
- Braxton trolled Senator Mike Lee for two weeks to block a bill he saw as selling public land and used that activism to land TV appearances.
- That viral push led directly to media invitations and the creation of Sagebrush Institute.
Selling Land Reveals What America Values
- Selling public lands exposes a deeper conflict about what America conserves: profits or people and place.
- J. Burden and Braxton argue conservation should prioritize American families and cultural continuity over financialization.
