Outdoor Alliance heads to D.C. this week to advocate for public lands and waters
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Washington, D.C. (September 14, 2026) — Three weeks before the comment deadline of October 6 that will affect 45 million acres of National Forest land and the recreation experiences on them, Outdoor Alliance, and more than 60 outdoor recreation leaders representing 18 states are on Capitol Hill this week meeting with Congress members. They will urge Congress to focus on conservation priorities such as protecting public lands and investing in the agencies that manage them as major decisions over the future of America’s national forests and other public lands come to a head.
The delegation includes representatives from national and regional recreation organizations, outdoor businesses, and conservation groups, including Patagonia, American Whitewater, Winter Wildlands Alliance, The Mountaineers, Runners for Public Lands, Washington Trails Association, Colorado Mountain Club, Bikepacking Roots, and others.
Organized by Outdoor Alliance, the annual fly-in brings together outdoor industry leaders, nonprofit organizations, and recreation advocates for meetings with lawmakers and federal agencies. This year’s meetings come just days before the close of a public comment period on the proposed rescission of the Roadless Rule.
Last summer, lawmakers rejected proposals to sell off millions of acres of public lands after an unprecedented outpouring of public opposition. But the pressure on public lands has continued. Over the past year, the administration has moved to roll back the Roadless Rule and other conservation policies, reconsider how motorized use is managed across national forests, and reduce staffing and capacity at federal land management agencies.
Congress has an opportunity to chart a different course. Fly-in participants will ask lawmakers to protect America’s backcountry forests, reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund, oppose future public-land sales, and ensure federal land management agencies have the staffing and resources needed to steward public lands and recreation.
"Public lands and outdoor recreation are bipartisan American values that have long united people across political lines," said Adam Cramer, CEO of the Outdoor Alliance. "Last summer, Americans sent a clear message that they want public lands to stay in public hands. Keeping them healthy and accessible also requires smart conservation policy, sustained investment, and strong, well-resourced land management agencies. This week, more than 60 outdoor leaders are bringing that message directly to Congress.”
The following issues will be top priorities with lawmakers this week:
Keep Public Lands Public: Fly-in participants will urge lawmakers to oppose proposals that sell or transfer public lands or prioritize private interests over public benefit. Outdoor Alliance's recent Public Lands at Risk report highlights more than 20 recreation landscapes on Forest Service and BLM lands facing current threats.
Protect the Roadless Rule: The administration is moving to rescind protections for 45 million acres of national forests, including more than 25,000 miles of trails and more than 10,000 miles of mountain biking. Fly-in participants will urge lawmakers to defend the Roadless Rule and the backcountry recreation, clean water, wildlife habitat, and communities it supports.
Reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund: With the fund expired and land management agencies facing a roughly $41 billion maintenance backlog, fly-in participants will urge Congress to renew investment in trails, campgrounds, roads, bridges, visitor facilities, and other recreation infrastructure.
Travel Management: The Forest Service is considering changes that would move toward an “open unless designated closed” approach to motorized use on national forests. Fly-in participants will raise concerns about impacts to human-powered recreation, natural and cultural resources, and the additional decision-making burden this could place on already understaffed local Forest Service offices.
Fly-in participants representing outdoor recreation organizations, businesses, and communities across the country are available for interviews about the national and local impacts of these public-land policy decisions.