Advocacy Update & Action Alert from Eddie Espinosa
Words from our Executive Director after his recent visit to Washington, D.C. in partnership with Outdoor Alliance:
Our public lands have been underfunded, under staffed, and challenged for decades by policies that seek to deregulate and remove protections that have kept America one of the most beautiful countries on earth.
Over two days, as part of the Outdoor Alliance, recreation groups from around the country held over 75 meetings with elected officials to say thanks, continue advocating for keeping public lands public, continue to fund maintenance and infrastructure, and share stories from our communities.
I can confirm that they hear us, and we need to keep our foot on the gas.
Some days it feels like an insurmountable task, but as I flew home and looked over places like the North Cascades, I'm reminded that someone needs to speak on behalf of the land, and I'm proud to do my part.
On that note, we invite you to take action on the Public Lands Rule.
Outdoor recreation is one of the most important ways Americans experience public lands—and the BLM is rolling back a rule that helps to manage 245 million acres of land for recreation and conservation values. See what's at risk here.
Last year, the BLM finalized its Public Lands Rule to better balance conservation and recreation values with development on the lands it oversees. The rule was a major step forward in ensuring that outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and clean water are considered alongside energy and mineral development.
Now, the Department of the Interior has announced its plan to rescind the Public Lands Rule, putting recreation and conservation at risk and rolling back critical tools it could use to help protect climbing areas, trails, river corridors, and backcountry landscapes across the West.
Before November 10, leave a comment for the BLM: