Right now we are up against major threats to federal public lands, including: land transfer and sell-off legislation, executive orders that would undermine the Antiquities act and repeal national monuments, policy changes that would limit public process, diminished environmental protections, and budget cuts. Our public lands are at risk. With about 60% of our climbing areas on federal public lands, we take these threats seriously.

Photo courtesy of © Andrew Burr

Now, more than ever, climbers need to join forces with other recreation groups, conservationists, and Native Americans to support our irreplaceable public lands. Here are 7 ways your LCO can help with public land conservation:

1. Develop a relationship with your state and federal representatives. Public land is your land, so let them know how you feel about the issues impacting these lands. They work for their constituents (you) and want to hear your concerns. Request a meeting at their local office to introduce your organization and express your support for public lands.
2. Take action quickly on action alerts. Be on the lookout for Access Fund action alerts. Climbers need to submit comments and make phone calls to support or oppose key issues about public lands.
3. Rally your network and spread the word. We can make a difference if we rally a large number of constituents who oppose threats to public lands. Use social media and other grassroots advocacy methods to share the message of land conservation.
4. Know who owns and manages your climbing areas. Whether federal, state, or municipal, be prepared to engage landowners and explain how law and policy changes would affect your climbing areas on public lands. The Access Fund policy team is standing ready to help with this.
5. Make a case for the economic and public health benefits of climbing. Be prepared to explain why climbing is beneficial to the local community and economy. Use this Red River Gorge study to inform your explanation.
6. Share your stewardship success stories far and wide. Climbers are important public lands stakeholders. Land agencies and elected officials need to know that climbers are committed to stewarding public lands.
7. Rally voters around elected officials who support public lands. Provide your climbing community with information on where candidates (up and down the ballot) stand on public lands. Make public lands a priority voting issue.

Learn more about the threats and what we’re doing to fight for America’s public lands.