[DEADLINE] 640 public lands supporters needed by midnight!
Photo by Eliza Earle
Public Lands Day — Ours to Explore, Ours to Protect
Friend,
Public lands are the heart of our shared natural heritage. From the red rock canyons of the Southwest to the mossy rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, these places are not just beautiful. They are essential. And they belong to all of us.
National Public Lands Day is a reminder of what's at stake
640 million acres of national forests, parks, monuments, and open spaces. These lands provide clean air and water, a home for wildlife, protection from climate change, and space for all of us to explore and connect with nature.
But they are under constant threat
Developers want to strip protections. Oil and gas companies want to drill. Politicians want to slash funding and silence the experts who manage these spaces. Climate-driven wildfires and droughts are pushing fragile ecosystems to the brink.
Today, we fight back
Because of Sierra Club members, we've already protected millions of acres of public lands. We've stopped sell-offs, blocked drilling leases, and defended national monuments in court. Together, we are building a future where public lands stay public.
Public lands are the shared landscapes that belong to all of us. These include forests, deserts, coastlines, wetlands, and city green spaces managed for public benefit. They are held in trust by government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels, with the purpose of protecting nature, preserving cultural heritage, and providing everyone with access to the outdoors.
Public lands come in many forms, some you may not realize:
National lands like national parks, wilderness areas, and wildlife refuges, protected for their natural beauty, biodiversity, and historical significance
State-managed areas such as state parks and forests, which offer recreation and preserve vital ecosystems
Local public spaces, including city parks, greenways, and neighborhood nature preserves that connect people to nature close to home
Public lands protect clean air and water, preserve cultural and natural heritage, store carbon, and provide space for wildlife and people to thrive. They are one of our greatest shared resources, and protecting them is a shared responsibility.
