How to Become a Public Lands Advocate

Regardless of where your passion for the great outdoors stems from, it’s important to do your part in protecting public lands. We all want to continue enjoying our hobbies, such as biking, hiking, camping, boating, and more. In order to protect our sacred public lands, we need to work together to become effective advocates. Whether you’re new to advocacy or a seasoned veteran, there’s always room to learn and grow into a more effective advocate.

We’re here to provide some essential information on how to become a public lands advocate. For more information or to check out our inventory and gear up for your next adventure, visit us at Central Arkansas Mahindra in Little Rock, Arkansas, today! We welcome all those from Sherwood, Conway, and Hot Springs.

Research the Issues

The first step is making sure you’re properly informed. You’ll need to get familiar with the different issues and threats that our public lands are facing, which includes state takeovers, plastic pollution, and more. Fortunately, with all the resources available, you should have no problem getting up to speed. This guide is a good place to start, but you’ll still want to take some time to do your own digging. 

You can start by visiting the websites of land management agencies, traditional conservation groups, key congressional committees, state-based organizations, and more. Social media is another way to keep up with relevant issues affecting public lands. There are also several organizations out there whose sole purpose is to provide updates on the status of such issues. However you go about your research, it’s crucial that you get informed before taking action.

Make Connections

While the Internet is an excellent way to get started in advocacy, your work won’t stop there. If you really want to be a part of a movement like protecting public lands, you need to make meaningful connections. Once you’ve gained a good amount of knowledge on the topic you’re interested in, the next step is to get out there and make connections. As you do your research, you’ll notice there are many different groups that are taking action in various ways. You should be willing to get involved however you can. 

Here’s an idea: go outside! Being on the ground and actively taking part in relevant activities that are geared toward implementing change is an excellent way to make a difference. Whether you’re planting trees, participating in a cleanup, or assisting trail crews, your efforts will make a difference. Don’t be surprised when your impact is felt by close friends and family. It’s very likely that you’ll inspire them to get involved with advocacy, too.

Get Others Involved

That brings us to our next point, which is getting others involved with the outdoors. Maybe if it was prominent enough, you can recall the exact moment you were introduced to the outdoors. Regardless of how it happened, it’s important to share your knowledge with others. Of course, there’s a right and a wrong way to do this. You don’t need to force your opinions on others in such a way that you make them feel attacked and want to run in the opposite direction. The best way to go about this is to—you guessed it—get them outside! Introverts who prefer to spend most of their time inside are likely missing out on the beauty and wonders of the outdoors.

Always remember that not everyone is going to share the same passions as you. The outdoors has so much to offer, so if your friends aren’t interested in hitting the trails with you, try another avenue, like camping. Make use of this time spent outside together and have open-minded, honest conversations about significant public lands issues. You’ll often find that many people are simply unaware of all the threats facing the outdoors. Transform yourself into a resource so they can learn from you and decide how they want to get involved.

Contact Lawmakers

Each one of these steps is critical to becoming a successful public lands advocate, but contacting your lawmakers is at the top of the list. If you’re not already aware, find out who your elected officials are at the federal, state, and even local levels. Save their contact information so you have it handy. Now that you’ve conducted your research and are educated on both what the issues are and who the officials with power are, it’s time to contact your lawmakers.

Pick up the phone and call your representatives. This is the easiest way to make contact. You’ll want to take some notes of what you plan to discuss prior to calling. If you’re getting in touch about a controversial bill that’s being voted on, the person who takes your call should be tallying up the opposing and supporting votes. Social media is another way to touch base. Tweet your representatives asking them to support policies that protect the environment. It’s possible that you’re not always going to love a certain elected official, but you should still maintain respect when you reach out. You can also choose to attend town halls and use your voice.

While this should go without saying, it’s worth mentioning that you need to vote. If you’re not an active voter, it’s going to be difficult to justify your involvement in any type of advocacy. You can really get serious and make donations of your time to help certain candidates during the election season. If you have the means, you can even make monetary donations.

Having read our guide, you’re more prepared to advocate for public lands, so get out there and give it all you’ve got! If you’d like more information about advocacy or you’re looking to invest in some new gear and equipment before you head outdoors, stop by Central Arkansas Mahindra in Little Rock, Arkansas, today. We proudly serve Sherwood, Conway, and Hot Springs.