The Conservation Alliance

Big wins for public lands don’t happen overnight. They happen when communities and businesses, come together to take a stand. This month, we’re proud to share how The Conservation Alliance and our Brands for Public Lands coalition helped stop proposals in Congress that would have sold off up to 250 million acres of public lands. Through direct meetings with lawmakers, media campaigns, and coordinated business advocacy, we helped ensure that the most dangerous provisions were removed from the final budget reconciliation bill. Although there’s still work to do to protect public lands from future threats, this moment shows what’s possible when businesses show up and speak out. Read more about how it happened and what’s next: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/gM9DpyAH

3 days. 30 miles. 4,500+ feet of gain. 2 moose. We joined the 9th annual Fjällräven Classic Colorado to hike through stunning wildflower meadows, towards views of alpine lakes, and across the Continental Divide...and it did not disappoint With meals from TCA member Backpackers Pantry and hydration support from fellow member Nuun Hydration, we were well-fueled for every mile. Leave No Trace was on-site and all 7 principles were followed closely, a great reminder that even large groups can move through wild places with care. Some rain, a lot of elevation, and nonstop views made for an unforgettable week in the Rockies. Huge thanks to the incredible event crew and our fellow trekkers for keeping the vibes high.

We’re proud to welcome eight new member companies to The Conservation Alliance community! These brands are stepping up to support land and water conservation and joining a growing coalition of businesses committed to protecting the wild places we all depend on. @hestoutdoors – Makers of premium sleep, travel, and camping products that bring the comforts of home to the outdoors. @civicshout – A digital platform powering progressive causes through grassroots fundraising and online action. @fishhound_expeditions – An Alaskan-owned fly fishing guide service leading trips across some of Alaska’s most pristine watersheds. @neurogum – Creators of science-backed gum and mints designed to fuel better focus, energy, and rest—wherever adventure takes you. @campcatskill – An independent outdoor retailer in the Catskills dedicated to sustainable gear and trusted trail knowledge. @mountainsportsflagstaff – A family-owned outdoor shop in Arizona serving its community for 50 years and committed to protecting the places that inspire adventure. @ibexwool – Performance apparel made from premium merino wool, designed for comfort, durability, and life on the move. @twotrails.co – A nature-inspired brand crafting expressive designs for hikers, bikers, van lifers, and outdoor explorers of all kinds. Each of these companies brings a unique passion for the outdoors—and we’re thrilled to partner with them. Learn more about their work and why they joined TCA: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/epzF5Nbs

Last week, Congress passed the budget reconciliation bill without the public land sales provision, and we’re relieved. But what remains in the final bill still threatens public lands and communities across the country. The bill allows: + Expedited environmental reviews + Expanded oil and gas development across the West + Lease sales in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge The so-called “One, Big Beautiful Bill Act” prioritizes short-term benefits from resource extraction and mineral withdrawals over long-term conservation benefits for people, places, and the economy. We’re grateful to our business members, partners, and champions from both sides of the aisle in Congress who fought to eliminate land sales from the bill. The Conservation Alliance will continue working toward real solutions that protect wild places, support communities, and sustain the outdoor recreation economy. https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/gdnsZthj

Tune into the latest episode of The Wild Idea where TCA's Executive Director, Paul Hendricks joins Vince Mazzuca, Director of Marketing at Osprey, to talk about the role of the business community in conservation. https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/gjXbbzxg

After months of back-and-forth, public lands were finally taken off the negotiation table in the budget reconciliation process. This past weekend, after immense public and congressional pressure, Senator Mike Lee withdrew his public land sales provision from the bill. This update comes following months of devoted advocacy from hundreds of businesses mobilizing and speaking up to protect public lands, recreation access, and the outdoor economy, and is a true testament to the power of collaborative, inclusive, and strategic advocacy. It's a big step, but not the end. We'll stay ready in case this threat resurfaces. For now, thank you to our businesses, public lands champions in Congress, and everyone who helped defend the lands that belong to all of us.

Dear Majority Leader Thune, Please stop the sale of our nation's public lands TODAY by removing the sell-off provision from the reconciliation bill text. Businesses and communities rely on these lands to thrive. You can make a crucial decision that will determine the future of our economy and our outdoors. 

Yesterday, we sent a letter signed by over 100 businesses to Senate leadership opposing the sale of public lands as part of the budget reconciliation package. This letter was in response to continued efforts to force public lands sales into the legislation. Using reconciliation to sell off public lands is not responsible public land management, nor should public lands and the powerful economy they underpin be on the negotiating table in this process. The approach currently being taken: + Cuts out transparency, public input, and due process; + Lacks provisions that would provide meaningful investment in local communities dependent on public lands; and, + Creates further uncertainty about the fate and future of our lands and waters, which all of our businesses rely on. The proposal to sell public lands is still in play. It puts iconic landscapes, ecosystems, and local economies at risk- and threatens the businesses that rely on access to healthy, well-managed public lands. Across party lines, our business members, their customers and audiences, voters, and communities overwhelmingly support the responsible management and protection of public lands and deeply oppose this sell-off. We still have work to do to protect public lands. Contact your Senator today and urge them to reject this sell-off. Call (202) 224-3121 to be connected to the Congressional switchboard and get in touch with your senators today.

We’re thrilled to welcome Wyld to The Conservation Alliance as our newest Pinnacle Member. Known as America’s favorite edible, Wyld has been pushing boundaries since 2016. Not just in product innovation, but in how business can be a force for good. With operations across the U.S. and Canada, they’ve built a brand rooted in feeling good and doing good: blending real fruit and natural ingredients with a deep commitment to conservation, community empowerment, and social justice. For CEO and Founder Aaron Morris, joining TCA is a full-circle moment: “Creating a pathway for profits to support environmental conservation efforts on a large scale was my #1 goal in starting Wyld, and I’m confident that the TCA’s expertise, advocacy, and intentionality will help us do just that.” We’re proud to partner with Wyld to protect wild places and expand the movement of business-led conservation. Welcome to the Alliance! https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/gFH9HNui

Mark Deming wears many hats, and not just the one on his head. As Chief Marketing Officer at Northwest River Supplies (NRS), Mark has helped transform a 53-year-old, employee-owned company into a global outdoor brand. But when he’s not leading strategy at NRS, he’s out building trails, partnering with conservation nonprofits, or exploring rivers and deserts with his family. A lifelong Northwesterner, Mark’s commitment to stewardship runs deep. He serves on the board of the Palouse Land Trust, volunteers with trail crews, and has spent over a decade supporting local conservation work across Idaho. “Growing up in the outdoors, I was taught that we should always leave a place better than we found it. Working with other outdoor business communities through The Conservation Alliance is one way we can live out that ethic at scale. Being involved with small conservation nonprofits for the last decade, I’ve seen the impact that grants can have on the ground. It’s vital that we keep that support flowing, and working with The Conservation Alliance is a key part of our efforts to give back. Learning about the nominees each cycle, seeing the passion and hard work of these amazing organizations, gives me hope for the future.” Mark believes in the power of grassroots change and in the importance of keeping funding flowing to the people doing the work. That passion led him to speak out in the Idaho Statesman, calling renewed threats to public lands what they are: short-sighted and dangerous. “Public lands are not a line item on a balance sheet. They are a lasting investment in our shared future.” The Conservation Alliance is proud to spotlight individuals at our member companies who are driving real impact for public lands and people. Mark is a shining example of what it looks like when business, community, and conservation come together.