Outdoor Alliance’s Post

Seriously though, what does the Farm Bill have to do with outdoor recreation? The Farm Bill is must-pass legislation that Congress updates every five years. Though much of the Farm Bill is focused on food production and agriculture, there is a critical public lands angle, since the bill directs policy for all 128 of our National Forests. The last Farm Bill, passed in 2018, included language that recognized the importance of outdoor recreation and the outdoor recreation economy. This language sets an important precedent, which the outdoor community can expand on.

Public interest in recreating on public land is increasing. The EXPLORE Act aims to enhance infrastructure, conservation efforts, and make public land access easier than ever before. https://hubs.li/Q02mwr9N0

BC Parks, in collaboration with Líl̓wat Nation and N’Quatqua First Nations, has issued a joint statement outlining the 2024 plans for Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. These plans prioritize maintaining public access while safeguarding the park's natural and cultural heritage. The updated strategy introduces three designated closure periods to accommodate Indigenous celebrations and traditional activities. Scheduled Closure Dates for Joffre Lake Provincial Park: April 30 to May 15: Reserved for Indigenous cultural festivities. June 14 to June 23: Allocated for summer solstice and Indigenous Peoples’ Day observances. September 3 until October 6: Set aside for Indigenous fall harvesting practices and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Given the increasing population in the Lower Mainland, the growing interest in outdoor recreation and access restrictions in existing parks, the Province of British Columbia must prioritize creating additional outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors, including hiking and camping. https://lnkd.in/gessSSHp

Q. “Does it ever get exhausting to have to go back year after year and argue the same cause?” A. “Yeah, but that’s the reality, that’s the mission. The benefit is that you secure resources to preserve and protect the places that you love. And if you love these places and the experiences they provide, it's motivation enough.” Did you hear us on Backpacker Radio? Outdoor Alliance CEO Adam Cramer talks about how outdoor recreation groups are revitalizing the conservation movement. Learn more about the work we do at Outdoor Alliance, the conservation movement at large, and interesting data from some of our recent policy reports. https://lnkd.in/gh7FufNd

Embracing the Sunshine State: The Impact of Parks on Florida Living! Florida's heart beats in its parks, and the impact is nothing short of magical! From bustling cities to serene coastal towns, here's how parks are shaping the Florida experience: ·        Urban Oases: In the heart of our cities, parks offer a breath of fresh air. Amidst the hustle, they provide green havens for relaxation, recreation, and community gatherings. A stroll in the park is more than a walk; it's a chance to reconnect with nature amidst the urban jungle. ·        Coastal Retreats: Florida's coastal parks aren't just beaches; they're sanctuaries of sun, sand, and serenity. Families bond, friends laugh, and individuals find solace along the shorelines. Our parks are where memories are made against the backdrop of Florida's stunning natural beauty. ·        Economic Boost: Parks aren't just natural wonders; they're economic engines. They attract tourism, support local businesses, and enhance property values. Whether it's a quaint park in a small town or a sprawling state park, the economic ripple effect is felt across the Sunshine State. ·        Active Living: Florida's parks inspire active living. From hiking trails to biking paths, they encourage fitness and well-being. Families picnic, joggers race along trails, and fitness classes find open spaces. Our parks are not just landscapes; they're arenas for healthy living. ·        Biodiversity Hubs: Florida's parks are biodiversity hotspots. They harbor unique ecosystems, protect wildlife, and contribute to the state's environmental resilience. Preserving these green spaces ensures that future generations can experience the rich tapestry of Florida's natural wonders. Let's celebrate the profound impact of parks on our Florida lifestyle. Share your favorite park moments and let's continue to cherish and advocate for these essential green spaces!  #FloridaParks #NatureInFlorida #ParkLife #SunshineStateLiving

America's $1 trillion outdoor economy isn't possible without abundant preserved land for outdoor recreation. That includes publicly accessible lands open to outdoor recreation but also the surrounding private landscapes preserved through conservation easements. In the last decade, Pennsylvania land trusts have preserved 293 square miles or 187,626 acres of land. Pennsylvania land trusts wear many hats. They are the feeder system for new state game lands, state forests and state and county parks--conserving land and transferring it to public ownership. They create places to hunt, fish, walk and bike. They are stewards of the land in perpetuity and actively restore habitat for wildlife. They also host 562 miles of trails on their preserves and protect the scenic viewsheds and greenway corridors for hundreds more. When we think of the outdoor economy, it's easy to picture iconic, billion-dollar brands. But the economic power of the outdoors begins with the folks preserving land. Congratulations WeConservePA on publication of the 2023 Pennsylvania Land Trust Census Report!

I second this. Real estate in the Valley will do very well in the next 10 years.

Tap into community transformation with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Non-Urban Outdoor Grants! 🌳 Elevate recreation, preserve nature, and foster connectivity through this grant program. Supported by the Texas Outdoor Recreation Fund, it backs projects for outdoor activities, biodiversity, and active transportation. Please feel free to reach out to Capstone Grant Consulting if you would like more information on this Grant Opportunity! #CommunityTransformation #OutdoorGrants #TPWD #ParksEnhancement #NaturePreservation"

National Parks need more money, new powers and reforms to governance and land ownership. With 90% of land in Britain's #NationalParks privately owned we can see how far we've come from the founding vision of National Parks which included public access and state ownership. Successive governments have failed to get to grips with a central problem highlighted starkly in our Health Check report which found that only 6% of land in National Parks is managed effectively for nature and that every water body in England’s National Parks is polluted. When National Parks were created 75 years ago, it was under a ‘People’s Charter’ that set out a vision for every citizen to walk, completely immersed in nature, surrounded by the awe and wonder of our most special landscapes and wildlife. This vision still resonates - nature is the top priority for the public when it comes to National Parks. Government should celebrate the 75th with a new People’s Charter that renews the social contract for National Parks, and supports greater public and community ownership of land.    As the #climate and #nature emergency becomes even more urgent, we must see the changes needed for National Parks to thrive for the future. https://lnkd.in/eVVWGPzn

Empires have fallen from deforestation....almost every leader in human civilization understood that without forests: rainfall will plummet, ecosystems collapse, and human civilizations will follow. 2024 was one of Florida's worst droughts on records- because we lacked the weather patterns made from the once vast forests and grasslands. Please every one contact the GOV and urge him to consider alternative options, otherwise, this state will be sunk. Sadly his email is limited to 1000 words so we can barely explain how the people using recreational spaces that they think should be placed in state parks would be considerably better suited to revitalize decaying malls or other suburban areas or other areas of existing development! No one wants to play pickleball near bears. It would be a great way to revitalize local communities with cafes in nearby strip malls! We also don't want additional car traffic near state parks, which serve as the last bastions of habitat for wildlife. Last year, the Florida Wildlife Corridor succeeded in blocking 2 proposed new toll roads through the center of protected land. Let's also continue pushing back on the state to 1. DEMAND smart design which will build local communities and strengthen tourism, 2. Finally install public transportation and road redesign for the many millions of elderly, tourists, and millennials whom do NOT need to become private car drivers, 3. map out and use technology to engage communities to redesign what land is already developed to force the state to become a leader in sustainability! I also noticed in the Path of the Panther, that our conservation discussions often lack GIS information or financial data. Incorporating these techniques could help persuade state actors! It will ultimately be cheaper, more profitable, and easier for customers to access sports recreation areas in suburban and areas rather than destroying the lands of the state parks. In the Riverview/ Brandon area, we have so many youth sitting at home in front of video games in neighbors surrounded by abandoned box stores/ strip malls in disrepair. Our community never launched into a nice place to live because corporations dropped housing developments in between industrial lots with pop-up strip malls that struggle to stay in business. The reality is that many Floridians no longer have the time to access state parks for recreational activities and that such businesses would be enormously more profitable and less destructive if encouraged in existing urban/ suburban areas.