Save Our Public Lands

We love our public lands for all they offer—solitude, beauty, and adventure. But beyond feeding the soul, they feed ecosystems, filter drinking water, and store carbon, helping slow the accumulation of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.

These benefits can feel intangible, but the data is clear: public lands fuel real economic value. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreation contributes over $1 trillion in economic output each year and supports nearly 5 million U.S. jobs. (source)

This impact is especially pronounced in the West, where outdoor recreation accounts for a larger share of state GDP compared to other regions. (source)

And yet—public lands are on the auction block. A new budget reconciliation proposal from the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources identifies 250 million acres of federal public land to be sold off in an attempt to balance the budget.

Public lands are irreplaceable. A similar proposal in the House was rejected in part due to opposition from Montana’s Representative Ryan Zinke. The Senate version now excludes Montana—but still threatens public lands in 11 Western states.

If you care about access to public land, clean water, wildlife habitat, and the benefits of outdoor recreation, now is the time to act. Contact your Senators today and urge them to reject this short-sighted attempt to sell off America’s public lands. Word is the Capitol switchboard is pretty busy, so you might want to call their in-state offices instead. The vote is expected before the July 4th holiday—time is of the essence.

Image credit - Outdoor Alliance