Access to Public Lands Should Unite All Americans

Access to public lands has the power to unite all Americans, as wild, open, and natural spaces hold a special meaning for many. Whether it's a neighborhood trail, a national park, or a stretch of desert, the outdoors offers a place for people to come together, find perspective, and experience something greater than themselves. In a time of increasing loneliness, division, and stress, being outside can boost both physical and mental well-being, strengthen communities, and reconnect individuals to one another.

Public lands are vital to millions of Americans, providing places to experience nature and foster community. However, these lands are facing significant pressure due to choices made by elected officials. For instance, the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument in Utah were recently reduced, removing protections from over 90% of the landscape.

Similar actions are taking place across the nation, with Congress rolling back protections for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and considering the transfer of Yosemite National Park to a private developer.

These decisions will have lasting impacts on public lands and the communities that depend on them. Responsible management of public lands requires balancing various interests, such as recreation, conservation, grazing, timber, energy development, and local economies, while preserving the places that generations of Americans have worked to protect. Outdoor recreation generates $1.3 trillion in economic output and supports 5.2 million American jobs, making public lands a significant economic engine.

The importance of public lands transcends politics, as they are shared by individuals with diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Whether it's a climber in Yosemite or a hunter in Montana, people all have a stake in keeping these places healthy, accessible, and protected. Public lands remind us that our common ground is more than an abstract idea—it's real, tangible land beneath our feet.

To safeguard our public lands, it's crucial for voters to ask candidates how they plan to protect them during the upcoming midterm elections. The future of these lands will be determined by whether Americans still believe they are worth preserving and if leaders share that belief. Public lands are among the few places in American life where all of us are connected, and their protection is a legacy that generations of Americans have fought to maintain.

As we approach the election, let us choose leaders who understand the value of public lands and are committed to preserving these precious places for future generations.