You have experienced the outdoors; the tension releasing, soul healing serenity of a desert vista, a forest glade or an alpine meadow; the heart pumping, lung bursting pride in cresting a rise or summiting a peak; the satisfaction of seeing young people experience and grow in the outdoors. Here's a few ways to take part and ensure our public lands are accessible and celebrated for generations to come.
- Get outside! Walk around the block, play in a local park, pay a visit to local, state or national park or forest, meet up with others through
organizations like Outdoor Afro, or take part in one of many celebratory days
like National Get Outdoors Day, National Trails Day or Winter Trails Day.
- Help get youth outside. Get involved with the Children & Nature Network,
Take a Kid Fishing Foundation, Outdoor Afro or through local chapters of youth organizations
like the Boys & Girls Club and United Way.
- Donate to Choose Outdoors to continue our work.
- Support businesses and organizations that are advocates for the outdoors such as REI,
Patagonia, Conservation Alliance, The Wilderness Society, Leave No Trace, and Tread Lightly.
- Become educated about issues and opportunities related to the environment and responsible living through resources like the Mother Nature Network and Oregon Forest Resources Institute.
- Encourage your legislators to provide resources to preserve America's public lands and maintain outdoor recreation infrastructure. Find your legislators.
- Volunteer or join an organization in your area that is involved in public lands stewardship or advocacy, such as The Nature Conservancy,
American Rivers Cleanup Day, International Mountain Biking Association and American Trail Runners Association.
- Check out Charity Navigator or Renew America Together for other ideas in your community.
- Stay current about issues and opportunities for our public lands by watching and following America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell.
- Email us your thoughts or suggestions for opportunities to continue connecting people and our publics lands.