Public Trust Poster

Public Trust 2020

★ 10.01 votes96 min📅 2020-02-17

"The fight for America's public lands."

In *Public Trust (2020)*, filmmaker David Byars takes viewers on a gripping journey across America's vast public lands—from the wilds of Alaska to Utah's striking red rock canyons and Minnesota's serene Boundary Waters.

Director: David Byars

Cast

Hal Herring
Hal Herring
Self - Journalist
Terry Tempest Williams
Terry Tempest Williams
Self - Author
Angelo Baca
Angelo Baca
Self - Navajo/Hopi Filmmaker
Spencer Shaver
Self - Conservation Director, Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters
Marshall Helmberger
Self - Editor, The Timberjay Newspaper
Levi Lexvold
Self - Regional Organizer, Save the Boundary Waters
Douglas Brinkley
Douglas Brinkley
Self - Professor of History at Rice University
Patrick Shea
Self - Former Director, Bureau of Land Management
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Self (archive footage)
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Self (archive footage)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Public Trust (2020) about?

*Public Trust (2020)* explores the hidden battle over America's public lands, where powerful interests push to privatize or exploit these vast natural spaces. Through immersive storytelling, the film reveals how environmental advocates, Indigenous leaders, and local communities are fighting back against policies that could reshape these landscapes forever.

Who directed Public Trust?

David Byars directed *Public Trust*, bringing his deep experience in documentary filmmaking to this urgent exploration of land conservation and corporate interests.

Who stars in Public Trust?

The documentary features environmentalists and activists like Hal Herring, Terry Tempest Williams, and Angelo Baca, alongside voices from regions directly impacted by the land disputes.

Is Public Trust (2020) worth watching?

While unrated, *Public Trust (2020)* is a compelling documentary that tackles timely themes of environmental justice and public land rights. Its focus on real-world stakes and compelling interviews make it a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of America's wild spaces.

How long is Public Trust?

The runtime of *Public Trust* is 96 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About Public Trust (2020) — A Documentary Exposing America's Land Wars

In *Public Trust (2020)*, filmmaker David Byars takes viewers on a gripping journey across America's vast public lands—from the wilds of Alaska to Utah's striking red rock canyons and Minnesota's serene Boundary Waters. This urgent documentary shines a light on a quiet but intense battle for control over 640 million acres of land, where corporate greed and political maneuvering threaten to strip away what belongs to all citizens. With a sense of discovery and unease, Byars captures the clash between conservationists and those seeking to exploit these natural treasures.

The film features powerful voices like environmental advocate Terry Tempest Williams and Indigenous activist Angelo Baca, alongside Hal Herring and other voices from the front lines. As tensions rise, *Public Trust* becomes more than a documentary—it's a wake-up call about the fragility of public landscapes and the people fighting to protect them for future generations.