We Need a Public Lands Hero

By: Erin Benedict

From after-work hikes with friends on nearby town trails to taking my son out exploring Montana’s wild places, so many of my most cherished experiences are set against the backdrop of our public lands.

These special places and our access to them doesn’t happen by accident. They are one of the many treasures that make the Treasure State a truly unique place to live. As our new congressional delegation settles in, we urge them to remember this and continue to fight to protect our public lands. It’s still early, but we are waiting to see who will emerge as our next public lands hero in Montana.

In recent media interviews, our returning and newly elected lawmakers have been asked about their priorities once they get to work in D.C. Public lands have not been mentioned.

In a recent interview with Montana Television Network, Sen. Steve Daines said his highest priority is “securing that border, tackling inflation, stopping wasteful unnecessary spending, and then make sure we preserve the tax cuts that President Trump put in place back in 2017.”

In a separate interview with MTN, Sen. Tim Sheehy said: “The clear mandate from this election is get the Trump administration in place and operational as fast as possible.”

Meanwhile, back in Montana, we continue to work to get things done the way we always have, by working together with our neighbors to see each other’s point of view and doing what’s best for our way of life. That way of life includes wide, open public lands where we can hunt, fish, camp, hike, gaze up at the stars and play games with our kids. These lands are what make Montana special. It’s why many of us live here.

And, public lands are one thing that most of us as Montanans can agree upon. At a time when national politics has divided so many of us, public lands remain something that we can come together on. A recent University of Montana public lands poll shows conservation is a high value among more than 70% of Montanans, regardless of political affiliation. Many of those same people say they are concerned about the state’s quality of life.

Enjoying and appreciating our public lands is not just part of our lifestyle and values as Montanans, we also recognize the role that outdoor recreation plays in our state’s economy. Outdoor recreation generates $7.1 billion and supports more than 71,000 jobs. A national report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows Montana’s outdoor recreation economy is outperforming nearly every state in the country.

For nearly two decades, Montanans had a public lands champion in D.C. Sen. Jon Tester was a supporter of initiatives like the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act, theBlackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act, and more. He understood the importance of our public lands and the role they play in our Montana way of life and our economy.

Now, we wonder, who will rise to the challenge of being our new public lands hero? Who will visit our small communities and talk to folks who are impacted by decisions being made thousands of miles away?

We are asking Sen. Daines, Sen. Sheehy, Rep. Zinke and Rep. Downing to include public lands as a priority as they begin work in D.C.
We urge you to take the following actions to ensure Montana’s public lands are protected for generations to come:

1. Prioritize our cherished public lands by opposing efforts to privatize or sell off public lands.
2. Support legislation that increases access, funding, and stewardship for national parks, forests, and recreation areas.
3. Promote policies that prioritize the voices of rural communities, Tribal Nations, and local stakeholders in decision-making processes about public lands and natural resources.

Montanans take pride in being good stewards of the land, and we expect our elected leaders to do the same. By prioritizing these actions, you can help ensure that Montana remains a place where future generations can thrive, explore, and find solace in nature.

Who will emerge as our new public lands hero? We will be waiting and watching to find out.

Erin Benedict is the Montana State Director at Mountain Mamas, a nonprofit organization that fights to protect our public lands, water, air and climate for future generations.