Trail Time
Running, biking and backpacking the West’s open trails and places they take us
Outdoor recreation relies on lands that are protected and accessible. The impacts of climate change, unchecked energy development and failing to care for public lands as we should spell bad news for outdoor recreation lifestyles and all the activities we enjoy on the West’s expansive network of trails. Learn more about what puts trail time at risk.
Issue page: Protecting 30 percent of America by 2030
Global human activity has altered three-quarters of the Earth’s lands, while within the United States, about a football field worth of natural area is converted to human development every 30 seconds. In the face of this crisis, scientists have urged us to conserve at least 30 percent of the planet’s lands and oceans by 2030, a step that is necessary to prevent the unraveling of fundamental natural systems.Fact Sheet: Climate change & trail sports
The effects of climate change increase the health risks of recreating outside, from poor air quality to risks from extreme heat and cold. At the same time, climate change is impacting enjoyment of nature, from wildlife to landscapes.Podcast: Mikah Meyer’s epic national park adventure
Mikah Meyer talks about his once-in-a-lifetime road trip to all 419 sites run by the National Park Service in a single three-year-long road trip.Podcast: Live at Outdoor Retailer
In the first live episode of our 2019 summer road tour, a conversation about the growing impact of the outdoor recreation industry on conservation in America, with: Nathan Fey, director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office; New Mexico State Representative Angelica Rubio; and Meghan Wolf, Environmental Activism Manager, Patagonia.New poll shows influence of “Outdoor Voting Bloc” in Mountain West swing states
A new poll by the Center for Western Priorities shows an “Outdoor Voting Bloc” in the Rocky Mountain West has cemented itself as an influential factor in election outcomes. Overwhelming majorities of voters in the Mountain West are committed outdoor enthusiasts. When it comes to voting priorities, 78 percent of voters in the West consider issues involving public lands, waters, and wildlife to be important when deciding whether to support a candidate for public office.Western States Conservation Scorecard
Public lands are what make the American West the American West. The Scorecard evaluates state policies in eight Western states—Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—considering each state’s commitment to protecting and enhancing public lands in three key areas: lands and access, outdoor recreation, and responsible energy development.Campaign: Road to 30
Protecting 30 percent of America by 2030 is a bold but achievable goal, the road to which will be paved by conservation leaders. Join us as we virtually travel the West alongside the leaders who are shaping the future of conservation to discuss a collaborative vision to protect America’s natural heritage.Outdoor voters support solutions to keep public lands protected, funded and open. Find out more about the solutions needed to protect our outdoor lifestyles.