Runners for Public Lands is deeply committed to empowering runners to advocate for the environment, protect public lands, and expand equitable access to nature. We believe that access to nature and healthy landscapes, in both rural and urban areas, is necessary for the health and well-being of all people.
Like many individuals and outdoor advocacy organizations, we are processing the results of the 2024 election and seeking to learn more about what the future will hold. While there are many unknowns, here is what we know and how we are focusing our efforts in the short term:
1. The remainder of 2024 presents an opportunity to move some legislation across the finish line. In September, RPL Executive Director Kat Baker joined the Outdoor Alliance in Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress and advocate for the passing of the EXPLORE Act—an unprecedented, widely supported package of recreation policies that offers numerous benefits to runners and the broader outdoor recreation community. Working in coalition with Outdoor Alliance and other organizations, there is a real chance that we can get these policies passed before the end of the year.
2. RPL has joined a broad coalition of over 310 businesses and organizations spanning the entire $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy to call on Congress to pass the bipartisan #EXPLOREAct before the end of the year. This historic bill will increase access to nature and transform outdoor recreation opportunities across the country. Read the letter we signed and sent to Congress this week, and please consider taking a couple of minutes to send a personalized letter asking your elected officials to pass the EXPLORE Act before the end of the year by clicking here. You can help us get this passed by writing your members of Congress, and the Outdoor Alliance made it easy, just click here.
3. We will also continue to advocate for more funding to support the 2025 and future U.S. Forest Service recreation budgets and staffing needs. Please see our blog post detailing how this budget crisis may significantly impact trail running and races on U.S. Forest Service-managed lands. If you’re a race director, join us in requesting more funding for recreation and staffing by signing our letter to Congress requesting greater funding. Click here to read the letter, see who has signed, add your name and share with other race directors.
As we approach 2025 our team will continue to gather information about the incoming administration’s plans and work to determine how we can be most effective in furthering our mission during this time of change.
We are committed to working with the recreation group we serve, and the coalitions and alliances we align with, and we will continue to go the extra mile to defend bedrock conservation laws, secure funding to support outdoor recreation, and work to ensure public lands are accessible to the public. How can you help?
- Donate to help us deepen our advocacy capabilities.
- Become a sustaining member of RPL by making a monthly commitment that will help us provide more opportunities to empower runners in local communities.
- Join our race and club alliance to help us build a coalition of leaders deeply committed to our sport and the places we run.
- Volunteer at one of our events to give back to the trails in a community near you! Stay tuned for our expanded 2025 line-up of Trail Work Series events coming soon.