Case: National Parks Conservation Association v. Department of the Interior

1:26-cv-10877 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: Feb. 17, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary while we research the case.) Plaintiffs, a coalition of nonprofits including the National Parks Conservation Association, filed this action on February 17, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Filing under the Administrative Procedure Act, they sought to challenge the Department of the Interior and National Park Service's implementation of Secretary’s Order 3431, which directed the removal or alteration of interpretive materials that pur…

(This summary is temporary while we research the case.)

Plaintiffs, a coalition of nonprofits including the National Parks Conservation Association, filed this action on February 17, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Filing under the Administrative Procedure Act, they sought to challenge the Department of the Interior and National Park Service's implementation of Secretary’s Order 3431, which directed the removal or alteration of interpretive materials that purportedly “disparaged” Americans or emphasized topics disfavored by the administration. Plaintiffs contended that the Order was arbitrary, capricious, contrary to multiple National Park Service statutes mandating accurate and inclusive interpretation, and adopted without required procedures. They sought declaratory and injunctive relief vacating the Secretary’s Order, halting further removals, and restoring interpretive materials already taken down.

This case is ongoing.

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72285106/parties/national-parks-conservation-association-v-department-of-the-interior/


Judge(s)

Kelley, Angel (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bressler, Steven Y. (Massachusetts)

Samburg, Mark (Massachusetts)

Thurston, Robin F. (Massachusetts)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:26-cv-10877

Complaint

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72285106/national-parks-conservation-association-v-department-of-the-interior/

Last updated Feb. 19, 2026, 5:05 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Doug Burgum, Jessica Bowron Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-11552572 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Category Form)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

2 Category Form

View on RECAP

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

Clearinghouse
2

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Brooke Menschel Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11552983 by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Brooke Menschel)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

3

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Michael J. Torcello Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11553070 by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Michael J. Torcello)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

4

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Pablo A. Moraga Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11553090 by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Pablo A. Moraga)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

5

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Steven Y. Bressler Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11553113 by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Steven Y. Bressler)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

6

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Robin F. Thurston Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11553126 by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Robin F. Thurston)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

7

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. District Judge Angel Kelley assigned to case. If the trial Judge issues an Order of Reference of any matter in this case to a Magistrate Judge, the matter will be transmitted to Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

8

District Judge Angel Kelley: ORDER entered. Standing Order Regarding Motion Practice. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

RECAP
9

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 2 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Brooke Menschel. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

10

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 3 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Michael J. Torcello. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

11

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 4 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Pablo A. Moraga. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

12

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 5 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Steven Y. Bressler. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

13

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 6 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Robin F. Thurston. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

14

NOTICE of Appearance by Steven Y. Bressler on behalf of American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists (Bressler, Steven) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

15

Summons Issued as to All Defendants. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should download this summons, complete one for each defendant and serve it in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 and LR 4.1. Summons will be mailed to plaintiff(s) not receiving notice electronically for completion of service. (MAL) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

RECAP

Notice of Case Assignment

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 17, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

District of Massachusetts 1:26-cv-10877

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket