Here are the actions being taken on your behalf by Trust for Public Land’s Federal Relations team in Washington, DC: 

Background 

From expansive forests to majestic mountains, vast deserts, and sweeping plains, our parks, monuments, and public lands are the heart and soul of many American communities. They support millions of jobs and play a vital role in keeping our air and water clean and healthy.  

Nature serves as a sanctuary—whether we get to spend days, hours, or even just a few precious minutes immersed in the sound of the wind, the scent of flowers and trees, or the warmth of radiant sunshine.  

Despite the increasing significance of the outdoors to our well-being, public lands, monuments, and parks face multiple threats. As Congress convenes for a new session, the influence of special interests and the support they garner from influential politicians pose a constant danger—seeking to exploit public lands and natural resources for private profit.  

The consequences of such endeavors would be irreparable. To shield our parks and public lands from harm, we must raise our voices and call on Congress and the Biden administration to prioritize the protection of our cherished outdoor spaces. Now more than ever, we must demand decisive action to ensure the longevity and vitality of our country’s precious landscapes.  

We urge Congress and the Biden administration to take immediate action on the following critical matters: 

Protect Treasured Landscapes as National Monuments 

Photo credit: Andy Richter

It’s been six years since the devastating cuts to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. But thanks to TPL supporters and advocates like you who spoke out against the rollbacks, we helped reverse the cuts and restore vital protections for these iconic landscapes and cultural sites. 

This same tireless advocacy is needed to protect parks, monuments, and green spaces across the country—because our iconic landscapes are under constant threat of long-term development, habitat loss, and the desecration of cultural sites and historic artifacts.  

Presidents from both sides of the aisle have used the Antiquities Act to protect hundreds of millions of acres of America’s most significant cultural and recreational landscapes. Many of the public lands that we know and love—such as Grand Canyon and Arches National Parks—were first protected as national monuments through the Antiquities Act. Without the foresight of past presidents, these places would not be the beautiful landscapes they are today.  

Now is the time to act. President Biden pledged to protect 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030, and he can help meet this promise by conserving precious lands as national monuments.   

Make your voice heard now for our iconic national monument landscapes. Together, we can conserve at-risk places for generations to come.

Outdoors for All 

Photo credit: Allen Brisson-Smith 

Parks and green spaces are vital for healthy communities. Yet one-third of Americans—including 28 million children—lack access to a park within a 10-minute walk of home.

This underscores the urgency of passing the Outdoors for All Act, which will allocate funding to create new parks and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities and areas with limited park access.

The Outdoors for All Act will—for the first time—extend program funding to Native nations, Indigenous communities, and smaller towns. This inclusive approach aims to make hundreds more cities and towns eligible, helping to address gaps in park access across the country.

Let your members of Congress know that you endorse the Outdoors for All Act and its mission to create healthier, better-connected, and more resilient communities today! 

Save America’s Wildlife

Photo credit: NPS/ Diane Renkin

Habitat loss, increasingly severe weather, and the changing climate have taken huge tolls on our nation’s wildlife. One-third of the wildlife species in America are at risk of becoming threatened or endangered. We must take measures to support these species now before it’s too late.

Thanks to your advocacy last year, the House of Representatives voted to pass landmark legislation—the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.

This will provide the most significant investment in wildlife conservation since the Endangered Species Act. But before the bill becomes law, we need the Senate to vote in its favor.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will provide dedicated funding for more than 12,000 species at risk, create jobs, grow the outdoor economy, and increase access to the outdoors.

We must take measures to support these species before it’s too late. Send a message to your senators now during this critical time.

Stop EPA Budget Cuts

Photo credit: Andy Richter

The House of Representatives recently voted for a funding bill that will cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget by nearly 40 percent. If this bill becomes law, it will severely hinder the EPA’s ability to safeguard our air, water, and land.  

The proposed cuts pose a serious threat, limiting the EPA’s capacity to monitor and regulate pollution, particularly that which impacts vulnerable communities. We cannot let this threat become a reality.

Your voice is crucial in advocating for the wellbeing of communities nationwide. Sign the petition today to make it clear to your senators that you vehemently oppose these dangerous cuts to the EPA.

Community Schoolyards^® Projects

Photo credit: Peter Cirilli

Spending time in nature reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, which leads to better academic outcomes and healthier, happier kids. Yet, many children across the country don’t have access to nature—either close to home or at school.

That’s why, at TPL, we’re working to transform asphalt schoolyards into vibrant parks with trees, gardens, outdoor classrooms, and innovative play areas to provide educational and health benefits to kids and communities. Together with our partners and supporters, we’ve created or transformed nearly 300 schoolyards across the United States.

But with the help of Congress, we can do much more to turn schoolyards into dynamic outdoor learning environments that will bring students and local communities significant health and educational benefits.

Help us unlock access to nature for students nationwide—urge your members of Congress to fund Community Schoolyards^® projects today!

Thank you for taking action, Friend. Together, let us stand united in safeguarding the legacy of our parks, monuments, and public lands for current and future generations. Your advocacy can make a significant difference in preserving these irreplaceable treasures.

Myke Bybee

Senior Director of Federal Relations

Trust for Public Land