Outdoor Alliance

ACTION ALERT // The Forest Service recently announced it will suspend non-fire seasonal hiring because of a budget shortfall, a decision that will affect 193 million acres of National Forest land. A number of factors has led to this year’s budget shortfall at the Forest Service. Over the last fifteen years, outdoor recreation visits have steadily increased, but real funding for outdoor recreation has decreased. Inflation has also strained agency budgets. Outdoor recreation, conservation, maintenance, and research are likely to take a big hit this summer, adding challenges to National Forests that are already facing increased stress from the effects of climate change and wildfire. Regardless of how we arrived here, the lack of seasonal workers will have a significant impact on outdoor recreation and on the long-term health of our forests. Outdoor enthusiasts have a key role to play in sharing their concerns with lawmakers.  We’ve made it easy to write a letter advocating for better funding for the Forest Service to ensure a seasonal workforce that fulfills outdoor recreation needs: https://lnkd.in/gRux3rh7

Congress is in the early stages of developing a package of lands bills that would protect special places in California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and New Mexico. Protected public lands are the heart and soul of a thriving outdoor recreation community and a growing outdoor recreation economy, as well as being invaluable for climate and the environment. These bills are all vetted by the outdoor recreation community, and several have passed out of the House or Senate committees. They include the CORE Act in Colorado, the PUBLIC Lands Act in California, the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act in Montana, as well as protections for the Wild Olympics in Washington, and Owyhee Canyonlands in Oregon. The EXPLORE Act also remains at the top of the list of recreation priorities that Congress needs to close out on. The lame duck is often a productive time for passing legislation, and we're hopeful that Congress will include some of these bills in an end-of-year package.

Last month, Outdoor Alliance gathered its first cohort of the Grasstops Collective, a program that trains outdoor leaders to build relationships with their lawmakers and drive conservation efforts forward nationally. We held more than 80 meetings on the Hill, and for many of these advocates, it was their first time meeting with lawmakers. From Denis Tuzinovic, one of our Grasstops Advocates: “After my first meeting, I realized that talking to elected officials isn’t as intimidating as I imagined. It was more like having a conversation, and the outdoor recreation community has a voice in this, and our voice matters. During our meetings, I shared my own story about how I connect with the EXPLORE Act, legislation that would expand outdoor recreation for all. As a child, I spent my time swimming in rivers, playing in forests, always being outdoors. I wanted lawmakers to hear how the outdoors shaped me and why it’s important to protect them in a way that is equitable.” Learn more about the Grasstops Collective, and our end of the year policy priorities, which includes passing the EXPLORE Act.

Last month, Outdoor Alliance gathered in Washington D.C. to advocate for some of our biggest policy priorities for the end of the year, including defending the BLM’s Public Lands Rule. The Public Lands Rule is an effort by the BLM to put conservation on an equal footing with other uses. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 245 million acres of public land, including some of the most spectacular landscapes for outdoor recreation. The BLM manages these lands for multiple use, which includes extraction and development. Less than 15% are protected for conservation. BLM lands, and our public lands and waters in general, are facing unprecedented challenges. Climate change is putting new stresses on landscapes, and drought, fire, growing recreational use, and the transition to renewable energy have put more demands on BLM lands. The Public Lands Rule will help the BLM manage these demands. The rule needs your support! Let your members of Congress know that conservation is an important part of managing public lands now and into the future.

“I’ve seen bills proposed and bills passed, and I really believe in it,” said pro climber Tommy Caldwell, about bringing athletes and advocates together to lobby in D.C. for conservation priorities. Last month, Matador Network joined us for two days of lobbying in Washington D.C. and learned that progress is being made in meetings with lawmakers and agencies, but you have to show up! Outdoor Alliance is proof that the outdoor industry isn’t a no-show. These climbers, paddlers, cyclists, and skiers are advocating to lawmakers what they believe to be right—protecting public lands and expanding access to outdoor recreation. As a coalition, Outdoor Alliance can accomplish more by coming together. Outdoor Alliance protects special places by bringing together the voices of America's outdoor recreation community. By working together, we protect the outdoor experience for everyone to enjoy. https://lnkd.in/geA4_Wdc

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) passed in 2020 and has provided billions of dollars for trails, parks, and public lands and waters across the country. Outdoor Alliance rallied thousands of outdoor enthusiasts to help pass GAOA, which also permanently funded the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and directed funding for the maintenance backlog on National Parks, National Forests, and other public lands. Passing this package was a big lift, but now it’s important that we know how well the program is working. Here are a few of its successes: • New and improved trail bridges for Wilderness areas in the Eastern Sierra • Improved access to climbing at Rumney Rocks in New Hampshire • Increased visitor safety and water treatment in the Grand Canyon • Improvements to mountain biking trails in the Bridger-Teton National Forest • Adaptive trails at Gooseberry Badlands in Wyoming GAOA is one of the biggest wins for outdoor recreation in the last few years. Outdoor Alliance and our partners are dedicated in working to renew the program before it expires next year.

In 2002, two leaders in the paddling community, Pam Dillon and Risa Shimoda helped to found a coalition of recreation groups committed to working together to protect landscapes and outdoor experiences. The American Canoe Association was one of the founding members of Outdoor Alliance. Together, we have united the human-powered outdoor recreation community to achieve lasting conservation victories. From our roots as a scrappy collective of whitewater paddlers, mountain bikers, hikers, climbers, and skiers, Outdoor Alliance has developed a powerful presence in D.C. Our collective voices have made a true difference in protecting places, passing great policy, and expanding sustainable access to the outdoors. With so much at stake in the coming years, from climate change to growing demand for green space, we are just getting started. Learn more, and join us for the next ten years of conservation powered by outdoor recreation.

It may feel like we’re close to the finish line, but the race to pass the EXPLORE Act isn’t over yet! In April, the House passed the EXPLORE Act, a bipartisan package of outdoor recreation policy that would improve and expand outdoor recreation experiences on America’s public lands and waters. Now, the Senate is working to pass it before year’s end. The EXPLORE Act would expand outdoor programs for kids and veterans, create more long-distance bike trails, protect climbing in Wilderness, modernize recreational permitting, and extend grant funding for green space in communities that need it most. So, how do we pass it? “Keep sending messages to your representatives,” says Tania Lown-Hecht, Vice President of Communications at Outdoor Alliance. “At the end of the year, everyone’s knocking on the door of Congress. We need to make sure the EXPLORE Act rises to the top of their agenda, as this is a win-win.”

Check out a series of educational pieces from Outdoor Alliance member org, The Mountaineers on the importance of mindful recreation and how to respect, and honor the rights and connections of Native peoples on the lands we love. In partnership with the Sacred Lands Conservancy, this two-part blog series explores the important history and context pertaining to the treaties that allow us to live, work, and recreate on the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest. The Sacred Lands Conservancy is an Indigenous-led nonprofit with strong ties to the Lummi Nation. These educational pieces explore how we can all develop deeper connections to the histories of our natural places.

“Advocating in DC is a lot like skiing a big line…” Last month, Wasatch Backcountry Alliance joined Outdoor Alliance in Washington D.C. to advocate for more protected public lands and waters, climate action, and expanded access to outdoor recreation. Outdoor Alliance also gathered the first cohort of its Grasstops Collective, a training program for grasstops advocates to build relationships with their lawmakers. Dani Poirier, Director at Wasatch Backcountry Alliance, who is a member of Outdoor Alliance’s Grasstops Collective said, “Advocating in DC is a lot like skiing a big line. It's intimidating leading up to it, but you feel empowered and accomplished when the day is done. Conserving outdoor recreation opportunities is important and our collective voice is helping move the needle.” As we approach the end of the year, there is a lot of critical legislation at stake that would protect America’s public lands and waters, and ensure that outdoor recreation experiences are sustainable. Take action by asking your lawmakers to pass the EXPLORE Act, fund public lands, and support the BLM Public Lands Rule.