The Conservation Alliance and a coalition of companies and outdoor industry partners have launched the Mobilizing for Monuments campaign. Business leaders are calling on the Biden Administration to protect millions of acres of public lands by establishing national monuments across the United States.
With pressure on our lands and waters from resource development and climate change, the Conservation Alliance says there never has been a “more urgent time to conserve outdoor spaces for nature and people.”
It adds that national monuments are a “proven conservation tool” that protects public lands while supporting jobs and the economy.
Business leaders recognize the role the outdoors play in our nation and economy. Public lands protection benefits the economy, sustains and creates jobs and generates revenue at the national, state and local levels. Outdoor recreation accounted for 1.8 percent of the U.S. GDP in 2021, accounting for $862 billion in annual gross economic output, and supporting 4.5 million jobs.
“If you are a business leader wondering what concrete short-term steps you can take to help with climate change, provide equitable access to nature, and ensure that places like the Grand Canyon offer opportunities for adventure to future generations, join our growing community and be a part of the solution,” said Shoren Brown, Vice President of Public Affairs of The Conservation Alliance. “We invite business leaders from Maine to Alaska to join our ranks as we help conserve iconic American landscapes.”
Participating organizations and brands will use their respective strengths as retailers, manufacturers or outdoor industry-based nonprofits to support locally-led campaigns for public land protections – and use their often bipartisan voices as businesses to influence national monument designation.
Mobilizing for Monuments supports four ongoing campaigns for new or expanded national monuments: Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument, the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Expansion, the Dolores River Canyon Country National Monument, and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion.
More announcements about the coalition’s work on these and other national monument campaigns are forthcoming.
“Advocating for the protection of our nation’s public lands is an effort that requires a collective voice from the industry to ensure these landscapes receive the protection they deserve,” said Todd Spaletto, President, Public Lands.
The campaign launched on Monday, and supporters already include Outdoor Alliance, Outdoor Industry Association, Public Lands Fund, REI Co-op, Keen, The North Face, Patagonia and Peak Design. The campaign is recruiting more to join.
