Outdoor Alliance

08/07/2026

There’s just one week left to tell Doug Burgum, “leave Wilderness alone…”

The Department of Interior asking the public to weigh in as it reviews its policies on how Wilderness is managed.

There are more than 111 million acres of Wilderness areas on our public lands, which are protected for their conservation benefits, and backcountry recreation opportunities.

The agency hasn’t proposed any specific policy changes—yet. That's why it's important they hear from people who value wilderness experiences. Learn more, and make your voice heard:

https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2026/7/29/if-you-value-wilderness-now-is-the-time-to-speak-up?ms=threads

08/04/2026

Today is the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). Passed by Congress in 2020, GAOA has dedicated billions in funding for the maintenance backlog at parks and public lands through the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF).

The fund expired in September, but now there is momentum in Congress to extend it.

“For five years, the Legacy Restoration Fund has helped repair and improve public lands infrastructure that millions of Americans rely on,” said Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance. Public lands are seeing record use, and maintaining access requires continued investment.”

Learn more, and ask your lawmakers to pass legislation that would help maintain and repair recreation assets across our nation’s public lands:

With outdoor recreation growing in popularity, extending the Legacy Restoration Fund is crucial for repairing infrastructure, and protecting America’s public lands.

07/30/2026

Wilderness experiences on public lands are some of the most remarkable in the country. From fly-fishing in the high alpine to big wall climbing in Yosemite, these experiences shape our appreciation for public lands, and the wide range of endeavors allowed in Wilderness.

The Department of the Interior is asking the public to weigh in as it reviews its policies on how Wilderness is managed. A comment period is open until August 14.

The agency hasn’t proposed any specific policy changes—yet. But the review comes at a time when the administration is rolling back other important public land protections, like the Roadless Rule.

That's why it's important they hear from the people who value wilderness experiences. If you’ve ever backpacked, hiked, paddled, or backcountry skied in a Wilderness area, decision makers need to hear from you.

We’ve made it easy to make your voice heard here:

Land management agencies are considering opening up Wilderness and the recreation community needs to speak up before August 14.

07/28/2026

Wildfire season is here, and this summer we've seen devastating fires affecting public lands, as well as the tragic loss of several wildland firefighters who have been working to fight fires and protect communities.

This year's fire season is unfolding during one of the biggest periods of change for the federal agencies responsible for managing wildfires.

Following another dry winter in many parts of the West and forecasts calling for above-normal fire potential through much of the summer, federal agencies have adopted an aggressive full suppression strategy.

Meanwhile, the Forest Service has undergone major organizational changes, including staffing reductions and the loss of many employees. Hazardous fuels treatments and prescribed fire work also declined in 2025, which has resulted in limited opportunities to reduce wildfire risk.

As fires grow more frequent and more severe, Congress has a critical opportunity to improve how we manage and respond to wildfires.

Outdoor Alliance is supporting a package of wildfire legislation that would strengthen federal wildfire response, support wildland firefighters, and make our communities and landscapes more resilient. Learn more:

Wildfire season is underway across much of North America, bringing smoke, trail closures, and changing conditions for outdoor recreation. Here's what recreationists should know about staying safe this summer, the latest wildfire policy developments, and how you can help build more resilient public l

07/23/2026

VICTORY! for river access and public lands in California!

Access to the Wild & Scenic Tuolumne River at Lumsden Road was recently restored after being washed out during a series of winter storms in 2022-2023.

Outdoor Alliance California worked for several years alongside partners American Whitewater, Yosemite Rivers Alliance and the Tuolumne River Outfitters to advocate for restored access. We engaged with the hardworking staff of the Stanislaus National Forest who made this repair possible and a priority, as well as Tuolumne County elected officials and Congressman McClintock’s office.

"We’re tremendously grateful for the direct support from Congressman Tom McClintock and his staff, who have been steadfast advocates for the repair of Lumsden Road, ensuring that the public can enjoy their public lands on the Stanislaus National Forest and beyond,” said Jeff Venturino, American Whitewater.

Outdoor Alliance is thrilled about this recent victory, which will benefit paddlers, local outfitters, other outdoor recreationists, and neighboring communities who rely on outdoor tourism.

Learn more about the Lumsden Rd opening from Outdoor Alliance member org American Whitewater:

Access to the Wild & Scenic Tuolumne River at Lumsden Road was restored on May 14th of this year following several years of closure. American Whitewater

07/22/2026

The EXPLORE Act is moving forward, and land management agencies are looking to the outdoor recreation community to help them implement it.

Right now, the Forest Service and the BLM are accepting nominations for long-distance biking trails. These trails would be open to mountain biking and bikepacking, and cover 80+ miles in length.

Several trails being considered come from the Biking on Long-Distance Trails (BOLT) Report, complied by IMBA, Bikepacking Roots, and People For Bikes. They include the Monumental Loop in New Mexico, the Maah Daah Hey in North Dakota, the Great Basin Trail in Nevada, and the Orogenesis Trail that travels through Washington, Oregon, and California.

Recognition through the BOLT Act would help raise awareness for these trails, strengthen partnerships with land managers, and support funding for trail development, maintenance, and long-term stewardship.

Comment are being accepted until August 4, and its important that the outdoor recreation community, especially cyclists weigh in. Learn more via the BOLT report and submit a trail for nomination using this link:

Long live long rides! By engaging the nation’s cycling community in the process of identifying, prioritizing, and uplifting existing and potential long-distance trails, the BOLT Coalition hopes to provide information, connections, and resources to support agency professionals tasked with enacting ...

07/20/2026

We're excited to share that Runners for Public Lands has joined Outdoor Alliance as our tenth member organization.

Trail runners are one of the fastest-growing communities in outdoor recreation, and they share something with all of us who climb, paddle, ride, ski, surf, and hike: a deep connection to public lands and the trails, rivers, mountains, forests, and coastlines that make outdoor experiences possible.

At a time when public lands face growing challenges, bringing more outdoor communities together makes us stronger. We're thrilled to welcome Runners for Public Lands to the coalition and look forward to the work ahead.

Outdoor Alliance is thrilled to announce that Runners for Public Lands has joined the coalition as its newest member organization.

07/16/2026

We are heartbroken by the sudden passing of David Page, Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance. David was colleague, a friend, and a longtime leader within our coalition.

For more than a decade, he helped shape Outdoor Alliance's work—first as Winter Wildlands Alliance's (WWA) Advocacy Director and a member of our Joint Policy Shop and later as Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance, where he also served on Outdoor Alliance’s board.

Through Winter Wildlands Alliance's annual conferences, partnerships, and programs like Ski Kind, Snow School, and the Backcountry Film Festival, David helped build a stronger, more connected community of advocates working on behalf of winter recreation and public lands. He knew that lasting conservation depends not only on sound policy, but on trust, shared purpose, and the willingness to come together.

“The outdoor community and the world have lost one of our brightest lights,” said Mark Menlove, former Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance. “As with everyone fortunate enough to share a path or a skin track, David was my model in how to move through the world with grace, kindness, and curiosity. David’s legacy and his spirit live on in the places and people he cherished. All of these places and people are forever changed for the better.”

In David's memory, we encourage those who are able to support the continued work of Winter Wildlands Alliance by making a contribution to the organization he loved and led.

We mourn the loss of David Page—a passionate advocate, Outdoor Alliance board member, and beloved leader whose dedication to protecting wild places will leave a lasting legacy across the outdoor recreation community.

07/14/2026

BREAKING NEWS ❗️ President Trump just stripped protections for nearly 3 MILLION ACRES of public lands.

Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments are home to world-class recreation and they're the ancestral homelands of Tribal Nations that have stewarded them since time immemorial.

Outdoor Alliance and our member organizations have spent nearly a decade advocating for these lands. We stood behind Access Fund in supporting the original designation of Bears Ears and fought alongside Tribal Nations after the monuments were reduced in 2017.

The administration's proclamations make clear that the intent is to open the land to mining and other development. That's not what outdoor recreationists want, and it's not in the public interest.

Take action by telling your members of Congress you want the Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase Monuments AS-IS:

Tell lawmakers what you think of the administration stripping protections from 3 million acres of public land.

07/08/2026

The third cohort of our Grasstops Collective recently gathered in Fort Collins, Colorado to begin five months of training on policy, advocacy, and leadership in conservation.

With training and resources from Outdoor Alliance, our grasstops advocates become a trusted resource for policymakers, providing perspective, input, and guidance that is representative of their local outdoor recreation community.

“Having the opportunity to connect with the group in person allowed me to expand my understanding of the greater outdoor state, while also recognizing how our unique perspectives can help affect change within our respective communities. I’m fired up for what’s to come in the months ahead as we learn and grow together ahead of our fly-in to D.C.,” said Grasstops Advocate, Ti Eversole.

Learn more about the third cohort of Outdoor Alliance’s Grasstops Collective, and how we’re training the next generation of outdoor leaders:

The third cohort of Outdoor Alliance’s Grasstops Collective recently gathered in Fort Collins, Colorado to begin five months of training on policy, advocacy, and leadership in conservation.