The Conservation Alliance awarded five grants to conservation organizations to support “This Land is Our Land” celebrations in Oregon, California, Minnesota and New Mexico. The public lands celebrations will take place on July 27, the same day as the outdoor industry’s “This Land is Our Land March For Public Lands” in Salt Lake City, UT.

“America’s public lands are the backbone of the outdoor industry, and they support local outdoor recreation economies across the county. With help from Conservation Alliance grantees, people in California, New Mexico, Minnesota and Oregon will have the opportunity to join the outdoor industry’s celebration of public lands on July 27,” said John Sterling, executive director of The Conservation Alliance.

Grant recipients will host public lands celebrations in their communities to raise awareness and spark public lands discussions. Each group hosting an event has received Conservation Alliance funding for efforts to secure protections for public lands, and many of these protections are now at risk under Trump Administration and Congressional proposals. The events will provide a platform for people to express support and enthusiasm for public lands in communities that rely on protected land to support the local outdoor recreation economy.

The grants will support public lands celebrations in Medford, OR; Bend, OR; Las Cruces, NM; Ely, MN; and Mammoth Lakes, CA.

“Oregonians share a deep love for our public lands and in Bend and Central Oregon public lands are a big part of our way of life,” said Brent Fenty, executive director of Oregon Natural Desert Association. “Public lands are also an important part of our local economy and help attract people and businesses who care about them. We are proud to work with this great community to highlight the value of public lands with the This Land is Our Land Rally on July 27.”

Grant recipients include:

  • Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center – Medford, OR
  • Oregon Natural Desert Association – Bend, OR
  • New Mexico Wilderness Alliance – Las Cruces, NM
  • Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness – Ely, MN
  • Winter Wildlands Alliance – Mammoth Lakes, CA

Photo courtesy Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center