Who me?!
Last week I got an invitation from the Natural Resources Council of Maine with the opportunity to be one of ten people to meet with staff members from Maine Senators Susan Collins’ and Angus King’s offices and share my thoughts on funding for national parks and public lands. I care deeply about public lands and environmental protections. I regularly write my legislators and submit public comments. In fact, I got this invite because I’d recently written to Senator Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on these issues. And with the impending mega bill before Congress this is a critical moment to speak up.
And despite all that, one of my first thoughts was, “Me? They probably have other people more experienced to do this.” Someone else would go and do this better, right? I’m more of an introvert, behind-the-scenes, letter-writer type.
Then I chastised myself, thought of Smokey Bear calling me out with his pointy finger and “Only You” slogan, and said “yes, me.”
This was an opportunity, and if I cared as much about protecting, conserving, and funding public lands as I think I do, I’d show up. After all, only I could share my unique experiences and thoughts. Others would share their own. And together we’d create a deeper, more meaningful picture. So, I prepared my thoughts, kept updated on bill revisions, went to today’s meeting, listened, shared. I brought copies of the photo below with handwritten notes on the back to leave for the Senators, a last-minute idea. After meeting, I sent the thank-you email below to the Senators’ staff members.
Public lands, health care, clean energy—whatever the issue, we all know our own stories and concerns around them better than anyone else. So, advocating in person was easier than this introvert expected. I don’t know if my individual actions will make a difference in this humongous bill, but I hope they’re part of a lot of people making a difference for public lands and conservation. Plus, it feels better to speak up, even if you fail, than stay silent.
So, to anyone else ever wondering, “who me?!,” think of Smokey and say, “yes me! And yes, you and you. And yes us.” Together.
Dear Mr. Mahaleris and Mr. Tucker,
Thank you both for meeting with me and other constituents today with the Natural Resources Council of Maine. As mentioned, I care about public lands personally and professionally. I am the owner of a Maine-based outdoor business, Trailspace.com, a hiker, skier, birder, trail runner, and a volunteer for our local land trust, 7 Lakes Alliance. I appreciated the opportunity to talk about why conserving, protecting, and fully funding public lands—in Maine and across the country—matters to me and our country’s legacy.
As an active professional of the outdoor industry for more than two decades, I know that federal public lands—from national parks to forests to Bureau of Land Management/BLM lands—directly support local jobs and communities while providing affordable outdoor access for all. That access allows more folks of all ages and backgrounds to connect with the outdoors and nature, while benefiting their own physical and mental health and protecting the health of our natural resources.
Public lands provide clean air and drinking water, critical wildlife habitat, and help reduce climate change impacts. Plus, investing in public land funding and conservation provides significant economic returns. It’s win-win.
The trade group Maine Outdoor Brands, of which Trailspace is a founding member, values outdoor recreation’s economic impact on our state at $5 billion. Nationally, the outdoor industry I’m part of contributes 2.3 percent ($639.5 billion) to our country’s GDP. These show how much Americans value access to our lands and waters.
Last month while visiting several public lands in Colorado—a national park, two wildlife refuges, and BLM lands—I paused to read the BLM sign on the attached picture. It proclaims these are “Your Public Lands”. I believe it comes down to that. Public lands have been set aside for the American people and are held in trust to be protected and managed for present and future generations. This is our legacy. We should not give it away or sell it off for a one-time cash grab.
I’m asking Senator Collins and Senator King to oppose any sell-off of U.S. public lands in the domestic policy bill and to continue that legacy of protection.
I’m also asking them to support fully funding our public lands and their programs, services, and scientific research, and protecting their natural resources.
Public lands are a non-partisan issue. Americans of all parties, ages, and demographics love our public lands. They are an investment for our country now and in the future. Let’s ensure that investment keeps its value by holding onto those lands, fully funding them, and supporting environmental protections on behalf of the American people now and in future generations.
As that BLM sign states, America’s public lands are yours, mine, ours.
Thanks to you both and to Senator Collins and Senator King for taking the time to listen today.
Sincerely,
Alicia MacLeay
Rome, Maine