Over the past six years, the Outdoor Alliance California team has worked closely with Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02) and his office to champion conservation and enhance public access to the district’s most treasured landscapes—from the towering redwoods to the rugged Lost Coast and the birthplace of mountain biking on Mount Tamalpais. Congressman Huffman has been a steadfast advocate for our community, both in Congress and in his role as Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Last week, more than 45 members of the outdoor community came together in an impressive turnout at the Patagonia San Francisco store in North Beach. Though the city was buzzing between Monday Night Football with the 49ers, a home game for the Golden State Warriors, and the busy week leading into Thanksgiving, leaders from the outdoor community met to champion the future of recreation and conservation in California.

Outdoor Alliance California gathered with Surfrider Foundation, Hispanic Access Foundation, Trout Unlimited, CalWild, Patagonia, the California Natural Resources Agency, Pacific Crest Trail Association, California Outdoor Recreation Partnership, Latino Outdoors, REI Co-op, and many others for an evening of advocacy and connecting. During the discussion, Congressman Huffman expressed optimism that the 119th Congress will be able to work together to advance one of the most important outdoor recreation bills—the Legacy Restoration Fund. Although the fund expired in September, it has played a critical role in providing long-term infrastructure investments to repair roads, trails, campgrounds, water systems, and structures across America’s national parks and public lands and waters. Congressman Huffman helped champion the original legislation in 2020 and is committed to advancing the fund’s reauthorization next year.

“Thank you to Outdoor Alliance California for bringing together outdoor recreation and conservation leaders for an outstanding advocacy event in the Bay Area,” said Congressman Jared Huffman. “The collaboration happening across our state reflects a deep and shared commitment to caring for California’s public lands. From the iconic Pacific coastline to the jagged peaks of the Trinity Alps, this partnership ensures our treasured landscapes remain vibrant, accessible, and protected for all Californians.”

Jennifer Savage, California Director for the Surfrider Foundation, said, “Surfrider Foundation is a proud coalition partner of Outdoor Alliance, and over the past six years our collective work has strengthened and deepened relationships with key lawmakers, including Representative Huffman. Together, we’ve advanced public lands and waters policies, improved coastal access in California, and amplified the voice of the outdoor recreation community with decision-makers. The advocacy event at Patagonia in San Francisco offered yet another powerful example of how expanding outdoor recreation access can unite diverse communities around shared values—fostering common ground, driving meaningful conservation progress, and cultivating a deeper appreciation among those who manage, recreate in, or call these landscapes home.”

“Hispanic Access Foundation and Outdoor Alliance California have partnered on several impactful conservation initiatives, including the recent designations of the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla National Monument, as well as California’s 30x30 initiative. Our collaboration is essential to ensuring that everything from close-to-home outdoor experiences to wilderness adventures supports our mission mission of connecting Latino communities to conservation and one another across California,” said Luis Cruz, Community Engagement Manager for the Hispanic Access Foundation.

This year we saw millions of Americans use their voices to advocate for public lands and waters. The California outdoor recreation community is deeply connected to the state’s landscapes, and organizations like Trout Unlimited, Hispanic Access Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, and Patagonia have partnered with lawmakers like Congressman Huffman to enhance outdoor recreation access throughout the golden state.

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Trip Report: California Outdoor Advocacy with Congressman Jared Huffman