By Corey Fisher While the political climate in Washington, D.C. may seem hyper-partisan, there are some issues that bring people together from across the political spectrum. Earlier this year Congress passed the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, a public lands package that established 1.3 million acres of new wilderness, permanently authorized … Read more
Alaska TU leaders on public lands: Be an advocate
Explorers, hunters, anglers, hikers, climbers, campers and s’mores artists alike benefit from the bounty of Alaska’s public lands for some of our best memories, the fullness of our chest freezers, or our most engaging tales of misadventure. As such, we assume the responsibility of being active stewards of the land and ethical facilitators when introducing new participants to pursuits on our national commons.
Best. Idea. Ever.
By Corey Fisher Over four decades ago Congress declared that “it is the policy of the United States that…the public lands be retained in Federal ownership”. These words were part of the Federal Lands Management Policy Act of 1976 and they marked a point in our nation’s history in which public lands – the 640 million acres of … Read more
Happy Public Lands Month!
By Corey Fisher Trout Unlimited is devoting the month of September to celebrating public lands and the agencies dedicated to upholding America’s public land heritage. It’s no coincidence that National Hunting and Fishing Day and National Public Lands Day are both during September — the month is tailor-made for hunters and anglers to enjoy all … Read more
We’re all landowners
It’s no spectacular feat of modern engineering, but it represents one of the greatest achievements in the history of conservation. The Roosevelt Arch, constructed to mark the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park just outside of Gardiner, Mont., captures the essence of public lands protection in America, and it’s a threshold every American should have … Read more
Meet the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Like the Bureau of Land Management and the Park Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is an agency within the Department of the Interior. However, FWS responsibilities extend beyond land management and include the management of fish and wildlife themselves, not just habitat. This includes many fish and wildlife management activities that fall under their purview, including enforcing wildlife-related laws, including the Endangered Species … Read more
Our duty to comment on public lands plans
American’s have a birthright to federal public lands throughout the nation. Forests, rivers, grasslands and more offer exceptional recreational opportunities for each one of us, and we have a duty to speak up on how they are managed. In New Mexico, two large swaths of public lands are revisiting management strategies. The Carson and Santa … Read more
Protecting Oregon sporting paradise from strip mining
Southwest Oregon is a place defined by steep country and untamed rivers where we can go to find solitude, dramatic landscapes, and some of the best habitat for big game and wild anadromous fish in the lower 48 states. Rivers like the Smith, Illinois, and Chetco are legendary amongst sportsmen and women for their strong runs of steelhead, sea-run … Read more
Renewable energy, climate change, public lands and bipartisanship … Oh my!
Photo: USFWS/Joshua Winchell In this age of boundless partisanship, something remarkable happened this summer. A smart, forward-thinking piece of legislation addressing climate change was introduced that is sponsored by two Arizona congressmen from opposite ends of the political spectrum: Republican Paul Gosar, who rode the Tea Party wave into Congress in 2010, and Democrat Raul … Read more
Three rules with impact to coldwater fisheries
An update on three federal rulemakings with impact to coldwater fisheries. What is proposed, what it means for TU, how we will respond and how you can help make your voice heard. What is happening? Recently there has been a flurry of rulemaking activity by the Trump Administration that will affect regulations for agencies that oversee … Read more