Photo taken on Núu-agha-tuvu-pu (Ute) lands.

Our public lands are more than just beautiful places to visit; they are critical spaces for wildlife, clean water, breathable air, outdoor recreation, and our mental and physical wellbeing. From national parks and forests to BLM lands and wilderness areas, these places belong to all of us. They are part of our heritage and our future, and its in part of our nature to need to get out in nature. 

And while protecting public lands has always been important, this year, it matters more than ever.

Due to ongoing funding challenges, legislative rollbacks, and increasing pressure from development and resource extraction industries, many of our public lands are at the greatest risk they’ve been in decades. Even places that once felt “safe” are now vulnerable. For many of us, it’s something we didn’t even know was at risk of being threatened. Without strong public support, advocacy, and action, we could lose access to some of our most treasured wild places…land that was stolen in the first place. 

If you’ve ever hiked a trail, camped under the stars, fished in a pristine river, or simply breathed easier knowing there’s wilderness out there, it’s time to stand up for it.

Protecting Our Public Lands

WHY THIS YEAR IS SO CRITICAL

In late 2024 and heading into 2025, a number of major shifts happened and continue to happen:

• Budget cuts and illegal firings have threatened staffing for national parks, forest service offices, including scientists, rangers, fire mitigation, and maintenance crews.

• Rollbacks to conservation protections are allowing more mining, drilling, and logging on public lands. These are lands that have been protected of these same activities for decades and protecting them from such has been a monumental piece of conservation history (aka, we’re going backwards). 

• Climate change impacts are straining fragile ecosystems more than ever. These impacts also affect wildlife and water systems in a great way. 

• Increased visitation without increased education is leading to more trail erosion, wildlife disturbance, and pollution. These damages can sometimes take decades to recover from, or in some cases never will. 

This information may not feel entirely positive. However, the good news? Public pressure works. When we speak up by signing petitions, contacting lawmakers, supporting conservation organizations, and practicing responsible recreation, we can create real change.

Our public lands are more than just beautiful places to visit; they are critical spaces for wildlife, clean water, breathable air, outdoor recreation, and our mental and physical wellbeing. From national parks and forests to BLM lands and wilderness areas, these places belong to all of us. They are part of our heritage and our future, and its in part of our nature to need to get out in nature. 

And while protecting public lands has always been important, this year, it matters more than ever.

Due to ongoing funding challenges, legislative rollbacks, and increasing pressure from development and resource extraction industries, many of our public lands are at the greatest risk they’ve been in decades. Even places that once felt “safe” are now vulnerable. For many of us, it’s something we didn’t even know was at risk of being threatened. Without strong public support, advocacy, and action, we could lose access to some of our most treasured wild places…land that was stolen in the first place. 

If you’ve ever hiked a trail, camped under the stars, fished in a pristine river, or simply breathed easier knowing there’s wilderness out there, it’s time to stand up for it.

Protecting Our Public Lands

WHY THIS YEAR IS SO CRITICAL

In late 2024 and heading into 2025, a number of major shifts happened and continue to happen:

• Budget cuts and illegal firings have threatened staffing for national parks, forest service offices, including scientists, rangers, fire mitigation, and maintenance crews.

• Rollbacks to conservation protections are allowing more mining, drilling, and logging on public lands. These are lands that have been protected of these same activities for decades and protecting them from such has been a monumental piece of conservation history (aka, we’re going backwards). 

• Climate change impacts are straining fragile ecosystems more than ever. These impacts also affect wildlife and water systems in a great way. 

• Increased visitation without increased education is leading to more trail erosion, wildlife disturbance, and pollution. These damages can sometimes take decades to recover from, or in some cases never will. 

This information may not feel entirely positive. However, the good news? Public pressure works. When we speak up by signing petitions, contacting lawmakers, supporting conservation organizations, and practicing responsible recreation, we can create real change.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

It’s true, small actions make a big impact when we all show up and pitch in. Here are a few ways you can protect public lands this year:

• Educate yourself and your community. Share resources, talk about the issues, bring others into the conversation and perhaps most important: don’t stop talking about it! We need consistency to resolve these problems. 
• Practice Leave No Trace (LNT) guidelines every time you step outside. More on that below!
• Sign petitions and contact representatives. It only takes a few minutes and it can really make a difference in making our voices heard and letting our officials know what we care about! Check out the petitions and resources below to act now. If you want scripts for contacting your state and local reps, 5-Calls has some awesome ones!
• Where possible, support organizations fighting for public lands. Groups like the Wilderness Society, Outdoor Alliance, and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers are doing incredible work! You can also check out NPCA and Earth Justice.
• Vote with conservation in mind, for the love of mother nature. From local ballot measures to national elections, your vote impacts public lands. Keep this in mind especially as we head towards future elections. Check out the Conservation Alliance if you like to vote with your dollars.
  

Fight the Fight
Here are some specific petitions and action pages you can check out:

• Take Action with the Wilderness Society (multiple petitions)
• Protect Public Lands with Outdoor Alliance
• Advocate for Wildlife with the National Wildlife Refuge