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Activism & Community

Protect What Matters

Celebrating 25 years of conservation.
8 minutos leer
Two people fish from an inflatable raft on a river lined with trees.

Conservation Lands Foundation

Sep 23, 2025

Public lands are where we hike, bike, climb, camp, fish, and feel free. They’re also where we protect endangered species, preserve Indigenous cultural sites, and store carbon in ancient forests and healthy soils. These places matter—and they’re under threat. 

That’s why we’re asking you to join us in protecting what matters. 

 
A group jumps for joy.
CLF staff at Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, California. Photo Credit: Bob Wick

Who We Are 

Based in Durango, Colorado, the Conservation Lands Foundation(Se abre en una nueva ventana) (CLF) is the only organization in the country solely dedicated to protecting, defending, and expanding the National Conservation Lands—the most ecologically and culturally important public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). We’re talking about over 38 million acres of wild rivers, desert canyons, mountain trails, and sacred cultural landscapes.  

The Bureau of Land Management manages far more than the National Conservation Lands. In fact, the BLM is the largest manager of public lands in the country overseeing 245 million acres across the West - that’s three times as much as the National Park Service!  

Since we launched in 2007, CLF and our Friends Grassroots Network(Se abre en una nueva ventana) have helped protect over 12 million acres of these special places—including last year’s major win: adding over 637,000 acres to the Conservation Lands system. 

A person stands at a cliff dwelling.
Bears Ears National Monument, Utah. Photo Credit: Bob Wick

While 15% of BLM-managed public lands are protected as National Conservation Lands, this leaves 85% of these public lands unprotected and threatened by mining, development and other activities. 

Powered by Partnership 

We’re proud to count Osprey as one of our longest-standing partners. Once again this year, Osprey sponsored our Foundations in Conservation Leadership program, helping train a new generation of public lands advocates for the National Conservation Lands. This year’s training took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, and brought together grassroots leaders from across the West to strategize, develop skills, and build power. 

We know from experience that durable public lands conservation requires local people who fight for the land day in and day out. The secret sauce to our success is our deeply committed Friends Grassroots Network, which has grown from 10 to more than 80 locally rooted organizations representing hundreds of thousands of people—all united in their commitment to protecting public lands, water, and wildlife. 

A group poses on a porch with mountains in the background.
Participants at the 2025 Foundations in Conservation Leadership Training in Nevada. Photo Credit: Avery Campbell

Partnerships are central to everything we do. Whether it’s our local allies, national coalitions, or the people behind brands like Osprey who care deeply about nature—our collective voice will be essential to protect cherished lands and waters across the U.S. and defend against ongoing attacks. 

What We’re Up Against 

Let’s not sugarcoat it: public lands are under attack. 

In addition to climate change, biodiversity loss, and development pressures, the new administration and its allies in Congress are actively working to dismantle protections for public lands and waters and close off public access to cherished outdoor recreation.  

 
Four children run towards the camera on a gravel road with mountains in the background.
Sand to Snow National Monument, California. Photo Credit: Bob Wick

Their agenda includes: 

  • Selling off millions of acres of public land for private gain 

  • Blocking American’s access to public lands to hike, hunt, fish, camp, and bike. 

  • Slashing protections for national monuments and other vulnerable landscapes 

  • Allowing oil, gas, and mining companies to exploit lands that are highly valued for clean water, wildlife, and recreation 

Their proposed policies threaten clean water, wildlife habitat, and access to the outdoors. They jeopardize sacred cultural sites and local economies that depend on recreation. And they’re being pushed through with little transparency or public input. 

 
A dwelling set under the starry sky.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado. Photo Credit: Bob Wick

How We Fight—and Win 

The Conservation Lands Foundation is pushing back hard—and effectively. Our approach is built on three key strategies: 

  • Hold elected officials accountable to bedrock environmental laws 

  • Build diverse coalitions across conservation, community, and recreation sectors

  • Elevate public lands as critical to climate action, biodiversity, and quality of life

 
 
Soft sunlight spreads across a snowy mesa landscape.
Donner und Blitzen Wild and Scenic River, Oregon. Photo Credit: Bob Wick

Through our Friends Grassroots Network(Se abre en una nueva ventana), Monuments For All(Se abre en una nueva ventana), and Act Now for Public Lands(Se abre en una nueva ventana) coalitions, we co-lead national networks of more than 100 organizations to mobilize millions of people to take action. 

And we’re getting real results: 

  • We stopped the public land sell-off. Utah Senator Mike Lee introduced four different proposals in the 2025 Congressional budget reconciliation package to force the sale of public lands—totaling up to 3 million acres across 11 states. Thanks to public outcry fueled by our advocacy, opposition from both parties, and pressure from hunters, anglers, and outdoor advocates, all four efforts were defeated.

  • We expanded protections. In the past few years, we helped add 1.5 million acres to the National Conservation Lands system. These include wild rivers, high deserts, and Indigenous cultural sites now protected for future generations.

  • We amplified local voices. From the Dolores River canyon in Colorado to Avi Kwa Ame in Nevada and the Owyhee Canyonlands in Oregon, we mobilized our Friends Grassroots Network to defend and advocate for the permanent protection of the lands they love

A 25-Year Milestone—and a Call to Action 

2025 marks 25 years since the creation of the National Conservation Lands system—a bold reimagining of how public lands could be managed for people, wildlife, and future generations. 

Three children and an adult crouch over a plant to study it.
Fort Ord National Monument, California. Photo Credit: Bob Wick

We’ve come a long way, but there’s more to do. Our voices, our votes, and our actions will determine what the next 25 years look like. 

How You Can Help 

These lands belong to all of us. Together, we can ensure they stay wild, accessible, and protected—for the next 25 years and beyond. 

Thanks for caring about public lands, water, and wildlife!  


 —The Conservation Lands Foundation Team 

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