SAVE PUBLIC LANDS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES NATIONAL EFFORT TO PUT PUBLIC LANDS ON THE BALLOT
One million signatures. Delivered to DC and Statehouses on National Public Lands Day.
AUGUST 25, 2026 — Today, a coalition of recreation organizations, legacy conservation groups, media companies and public lands advocates launched Save Public Lands, a national campaign spanning political and geographic divides.
“We don’t all agree on everything or vote the same, but collectively the greater community of hundreds of millions of recreationists has had enough of the repeated attacks on our country’s greatest shared resource – our public lands and waters,” says Paul Hendricks, Executive Director of the Conservation Alliance. “Today, we gather around three demands of elected officials. No more public land fire sales. No more giveaways to foreign companies and billionaires. No more backroom deals that take everyday people out of the process.”
The campaign has a goal of gathering one million signatures before National Public Lands Day on September 26 and delivering them to lawmakers in Washington, D.C. and state capitals across the country.
Save Public Lands grew out of last summer’s grassroots response to Sen. Mike Lee’s proposed public land sales when hunters, anglers, climbers, hikers, conservationists, outdoor businesses and Americans across the political spectrum mobilized against efforts to sell federal public lands.
“Last year proved something we’ve long believed: Public lands are one of the last great things that still unite Americans,” says Ryan “Cal” Callaghan, president and CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. “Hunters, anglers, hikers, climbers and people from every corner of the country stood together and made it clear that our shared lands are not for sale. We showed what’s possible when we set aside what divides us, leave our egos at the door and stand united for what belongs to all of us. Now the work is making sure that wasn’t just a moment, but a movement.”
This effort comes after this summer’s slew of attacks on public lands that include monument reductions, border barrier construction in Big Bend National Park and the current attempt to rescind the Roadless Rule.
“We’ve been playing defense for too long both as organizations and people,” says Adam Cramer, Outdoor Alliance CEO. “To remind our elected officials we will remember those who champion public lands, we need to work together. It’s time to play offense.”
The founding partners for this campaign include The Conservation Alliance, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Outdoor Alliance, The Wilderness Society, MeatEater and Duct Tape Then Beer. It’s continued to grow as Protect Our Winters, Save the Boundary Waters and a growing number of Outdoor Industry brands signed on.
The campaign launches today at SavePublicLands.us and on social media where people can sign the letter, learn more about the campaign’s demands and find ways to participate in events this public lands month and culminating on Public Lands Day on September 26. Petition signatures will be carried to lawmakers during planned September fly-ins in Washington, D.C., as well as to state leaders around the country.
“We stand with people across this country who share a love for public lands and understand what’s at stake,” says Tracy Stone-Manning, President of The Wilderness Society. “Public lands give us the freedom to explore, connect with nature and pass something meaningful on to future generations. It’s time to save public lands.”
CAMPAIGN PARTNERS
Save Public Lands is supported by a growing coalition including Duct Tape Then Beer, The Conservation Alliance, Outdoor Alliance, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, The Wilderness Society and MeatEater, along with public lands advocates, creators, businesses and community organizations across the country.
ABOUT SAVE PUBLIC LANDS
Save Public Lands is a community-led, nonprofit-amplified and industry-supported campaign working to keep America’s public lands protected, accessible and in public hands. The campaign seeks to gather one million signatures, bring Americans together around shared principles for the stewardship of public lands, and elevate public lands as a major voting issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
