Become #PublicLandsProud

Photo-Brian Cronin

You launch in the shadows of downtown, a cool water refuge amongst 500,000 people living their lives.  Most oblivious to the jewel the city has running through it, let alone the public land adjacent to it that lets anyone and everyone use it

The 4 mile float along the lower Spokane is a corridor of wildlife in the midst of urban living. Various land grants started Riverside State Park in 1933 and today it's a vital part of the health of our river and the city itself.

It offers wildlife a place to call home.  Parkland a place flourish.  An escape into nature five minutes from the front door of Nordstrom.

It's a buffer to life's craziness.  I take solace knowing I can tangle with a wild redband rainbow as thousands of cars rush overhead the Maple Street Bridge.  It's there, in perpituity because of a strange concept that we have in America

Public Lands.

There's 640 million acres of public land across our country that are there for the good of the people. Some in far off distant and remote stretches of the West, others right smack dab in the middle of cities all around the country.

It's weird because most countries around the world have NO public land that allow for the type of recreation that we just know as normal

Private rivers and forests.  Pay to play.   The domain of kings and queens

What we have is so special.  So incredibly special and yet it's at risk.

Right now,  there are interests lining up to try and take public lands out of the public trust.

They decry the federal government's waste and poor management of land in their control all while defunding the agencies that can take care of them

They want public land in federal control transferred to state's control.

Often times when that happens, states lack the ability to care and maintain that land, and boom....the land that once was public is now purchased in excess land selloffs and into private control

You're now locked out....typically to resource extraction interests.  Timber, minerals and natural gas for example



If you spend anytime outdoors, chances are you are using public lands.  Some state, some federal, it doesnt matter.

Fish, Hunt, Hike, Bike, Swim, Run, ATV, Horseriding, Ski and so many more.  It doesnt matter, we all use it together.

It's time you become #publiclandsproud, educate yourself and act

First step in the process is get to the Sportsman's Access Coalition page and sign the petition backed by the dozens of groups and businesses that stand for public access.  You're name will be added to the list delivered to governors, local politicians, congressional delegations, senators and more as one of the tens of thousands who've drawn a line in the sand on this issue.

Second, join the awesome groups like TRCP and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.  These men and women are on the frontline of the fight to keep our land public.  They know the legislation.  They know the lands at risk and they deserve your money and support

Lastly, incorporate the hashtag #PublicLandsProud in your social media where applicable.  It will help to expand the message to others and who knows, there might be a contest or two out there sponsored by outdoor retailers who get that their success is tied to our outdoor heritage.

Imagine your favorite deer stand locked up behind a timber company gate

Imagine the boat launch roped off or the sportsman's access to your favorite river is gone.

Imagine your mountain biking trails are gone

Piss you off?  Good.  Dont let it happen on your watch.

Public Lands...Your Property

Beyond this sign is one of the most spectacular pieces of public ground in the lower 48. Spectacular fishing, hunting, hiking and camping.  Canyon after canyon and carved by one of the biggest rivers in the west, it is OUR ground.

Public Lands.  Our property

But the placement of this sign could seem a bit funny.   Where the department of fish and game parking lot is, then to this sign, you have to walk through a very private, locked off community.    

Thankfully, the home owners of this area are amicable and don't impede the usage of our lands. Friendly waves with smiles meet us as we walk through to our destination up river.  

It could be different.   I am always in fear of one bad experience with a hiker, angler or hunter and those homeowners could make it tough for all user groups.  You already have to hike down a trail to get to the beach, then cross over a fence to access the road you need to be on but a more aggressive fence could steer off the less than intrepid crowd.   Instead of smiles and waves, the proverbial stink eye and mean mugs could dramatically change the mood.

Across this country there are countless examples of public land being shut off to access because they're surrounded by private lands that say no to easement and effectively shut the ground down.

Crazy right?  

Its a serious issue that is a quagmire of a problem, but there are groups out there dedicated to making sure that we as sportsmen and women have a place in the public commons.

I highly suggest joining both The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, groups who's core mission is to preserve our outdoor heritage on public land. Get involved today with this issue.

Beyond steelhead conservation, land use preservation has become of a pillar of what I believe in an fight for.  Without public land, we loose the user experience.  Not all of us have private land access, but we all have our land, the public's land to use and be a steward of.

#PublicLandsProud

My first introduction to the legacy gift that is public land access was as a chubby 13 year old kid.  We launch our boat on the snake river and powered down to a canyon across the river in search of chuckars.

The BLM land that we had access to was immense, dynamic and beautiful.  Miles and miles of that river system was in the hands of public trust for our benefit.   Fisherman, campers, boaters, hunters...all have the ability to use these lands without cost or consideration

Do we realize how unique and special that is?

I was speaking with a friend on the east coast of Canada and I asked about salmon fishing out there as it's on my personal bucket list.  What it came down to was how much money it costs on the prime rivers and prime beats.

It's hard to even conceptualize private rivers.   In that case, he who controls the land around the river, controls the access.

Can you imagine not having access to your favorite river or seemingly endless tracts of public land?

Are you #PublicLandsProud?

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is one of the groups leading the charge to protect our access to these lands for the public benefit.

Right now they are hosting a PHOTO CONTEST using the #publiclandsproud hashtag on instagram.

I suggest you check your photos and submit, and remind yourself that we are so, so very lucky to have the access we have