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| | In the sixth newsletter of the year, we shine a light on our 2025 Camp & Run partners, we share a new RPL policy update tracker, give insight into an RPL panel at TrailCon 2025, and more. But first, a few words from RPL Board President Vic Thasiah. |
| | | Not-So-Beautiful Bill Blunted, For Now
As we head into summer runs trying to stay cool, legislative activity in D.C. is heating up. We would like to thank the conservation organizations, local elected officials, Western lawmakers, and especially our fellow outdoor recreation advocates for their effective opposition to the selling off of our public lands. This pressure resulted in the removal of this amendment from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in the House. Like a training stimulus that makes us better runners, this small victory further emboldens us in our ongoing fight to protect public lands in the Senate, where a similar provision must be stopped. (See our policy update, and what you can do, below.) Public lands, from neighborhood parks to national parks, are our running commons. Where we come together, connect with nature, and chase our running goals. They are quite literally our common ground, all the more important in a divided country. Rather than selling them off, we hold them as close to us as our own lungs and the water making up most of our bodies. We hold them in trust for today and tomorrow. See you out on the roads and trails. Vic Thasiah, RPL Board President |
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| We are one week away from our 2025 Camp & Run, which sold out this year. We’re so excited to be partnering up again with Teva and Best Day Brewing for the long weekend, and this time, our basecamp will be at High Mountain Institute.
Our partners are the ones who help us power events and programs like Camp & Run. This year, for example, Teva is giving two pairs of shoes to every attendee, and Best Day Brewing is making sure that each day out there is the best, as they’re supplying us with the beverages for our cool downs and campfires.
If you couldn’t make it this year, keep an eye out for 2026 Camp & Run! We look forward to sharing trails, miles, and time together. |
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| | Upcoming Events: RPL’s Calendar |
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| | 6/3: Colorado Trail Work Series: Matthews/Winters 6/11: Santa Barbara Trail Work Series: Lizard’s Mouth 6/12: Indiana Trail Work Series: Bailly Homestead Trails 6/13-6/15: 2025 Leadville Camp & Run in Leadville, CO 6/24: Colorado Trail Work Series: South Table Mountain 6/25: RPL Panel and Runner Advocacy Activation at TrailCon 7/17: Indiana Trail Work Series: Glenwood Dunes 8/14: Indiana Trail Work Series: Wetlands Restoration Stay tuned for more trail work events in Santa Barbara, San Diego, and beyond!
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| We hope to cross trails and paths with you sometime this year. See our next few months below (you’ll also find Trail Work Series dates in the section below). |
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| There’s a lot happening and changing when it comes to public lands policy. But now, up on our blog, you’ll be able to find a “policy update” article that will keep you updated on the latest policies that are impacting public lands. See the impacts of House-passed Reconciliation Bill and President Trump’s FY2026 Budget on public lands, conservation, and outdoor recreation: U.S. House Passes the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act: On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” by a single vote. This broad budget reconciliation package includes several provisions directly affecting public land management, environmental safeguards, and outdoor recreation. Following widespread public and advocacy group opposition, two controversial elements were removed prior to final House passage. However, numerous provisions remain that could undermine environmental protections and reshape federal conservation priorities. President Trump’s FY2026 Budget Proposal: Public Lands, Conservation, and Recreation: The President’s FY2026 budget proposal outlines major funding reductions and structural shifts for federal land management agencies, emphasizing deregulation and increased energy development while de-emphasizing investments in conservation and outdoor recreation infrastructure.
Read in full on our site. Featured image above by Torch Pictures |
| | Panel Spotlight: RPL at TrailCon 2025 |
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| RPL is going to be attending TrailCon 2025 in Olympic Valley, CA. Find our team of ambassadors, staff and board members activating along side our brand coalition partner KEEN! Stop by the KEEN tent to support RPL, take action to protect public lands by sending a postcard to your lawmaker, and win some rad prizes.
On Day 2, join us for a panel session on public lands access and advocacy, featuring: Katie Hawkins, California Program Director, Outdoor Alliance. Katie is a nationally recognized female leader in the outdoor industry and currently spearheads the advocacy efforts for Outdoor Alliance in California. Tim Tollefson, Race Director, mammoth trailfest. and RPL Board Member. An appreciator of the imperfect, Tim believes that access to outdoors is essential for community health and that our next step, no matter the size, should be taken together. He is founder and head crafter of mammoth trailfest., one of America’s largest trailrunning events that was created to offer opportunity, access, and education through running. Lauren Shoemaker, Superintendent for Auburn State Recreation Area, California State Parks Department. Lauren is the State Park Superintendent for Auburn State Recreation Area. Since graduating the State Park Peace Officer Academy in 2013, Lauren has worked assignments in over 30 State Parks throughout the state. Craig Thornley, Race Director, Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run and the Waldo 100K in Oregon. Craig is a Pacific Crest Trail Association Trail Steward for the PCT from Willamette Pass north to Charlton Lake, OR.
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| | | Latest Insights: This is how we say thank you |
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| Last week, we’re giving the editorial keys to Athena Thasiah and Abby Gonzalez, interns for Runners for Public Lands.
“Our names are Athena Thasiah and Abby Gonzalez. We are student interns at Ventura High School and have been working closely with Runners for Public Lands helping to organize different trail work days and bringing together young people, high schoolers like myself, to be a part of something that’s helping our planet thrive. Public lands are often described in definitions — as protected areas, federally managed spaces, places of recreation, wildlife preservation, and more. But to me, public lands are really about something deeper. They’re about access, memory, and responsibility. They’re the places we go to feel small in the best way — where the mountains don’t ask who you are or what you’ve done. They’re open to everyone, and in a world where so many things feel gated, that’s rare.
One of our trail events is in Horn Canyon, tucked into the front country of the Los Padres National Forest, is one of those places. The trail winds through chaparral, oak woodlands, and in the springtime, you’ll even find bursts of wildflowers tucked between the brush — things like California poppies, lupines, and mariposa lilies. There’s wildlife too: deer, hawks, and even the occasional black bear, all relying on this landscape the way we do.” |
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| | RPL Ambassadors in Action |
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| The RPL Santa Barbara community is growing. Below, RPL Ambassador Helen Payne talks about a recent community-driven event that raised funding for RPL:
“The Vert Challenge was a wonderful weekend full of trail running in beautiful Santa Barbara! This informal, community-driven event brought runners together to test their climbing legs on Powerlines Trail.
Participants took on either a 24-hour or a 3-hour challenge, racking up an impressive amount of vertical gain across the weekend. We were thrilled to raise funds for two incredible organizations: Runners for Public Lands and the Los Padres Forest Association, supporting trail access, restoration, and environmental stewardship.The event wrapped up with a celebratory potluck and a raffle. Runners earned a ticket each time they summited Powerlines.
Prizes included awesome gear from Patagonia, Rabbit, and Santa Barbara Running Co., along with handmade pottery donated by a local artist.”
About Helen: I’m passionate about long-distance running adventures and organizing grassroots community events like the 24-hour Vert Challenge. I proudly represent Runners for Public Lands as an ambassador and race as part of the rabbitELITE trail team. When I’m not on the trails, I’m working toward my PhD in plant evolutionary ecology, where I explore how plants adapt to changing environments. Whether through science or sport, I love finding ways to connect more deeply with the land.
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| | Run with public lands in mind. |
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