Conservation in the time of Covid-19

We are all navigating some gripping times these days with Covid-19. At Outdoor Alliance, our plan is to stick with our mission to conserve and protect the outdoors and turn outdoor enthusiasts into outdoor advocates, but we are modifying how we pursue these goals for the immediate future.

First and most importantly, Outdoor Alliance is all in on social distancing. Our DC office is closed and thanks to technology, our team has been working remotely. No more travel and no more in-person meetings. Full stop. There is really nothing like sitting at a table and poring over a map with stakeholders, or being able to meet with a lawmaker in person, look them in the eye and make your case for conservation. Given the risks, we will not be doing these things for the time being.

Science says social distancing works, and we love science at Outdoor Alliance. Check out these visualizations from the Washington Post that illustrate how this strategy works.

Second, we pride ourselves on knowing what's going on in the policy world and on finding the best and most relevant opportunities for the community to engage and make a difference. We will continue to find opportunities for people who love the outdoors to continue advocating for conservation, climate protections, and access to the outdoors, even if our advocacy news doesn’t flow as readily as it usually does.

Third, we are going to be realistic with what can be accomplished in the public land policy space for the time being. Since January, we’ve been on a tear, helping the House fire up a lands package, standing up for NEPA and the Clean Water Rule, and getting LWCF ready to be fully and permanently funded. Lawmakers right now are rightly focused on dealing with the pandemic. In the meantime, we'll keep planning and scheming to go big for the outdoors when the time is right.

Finally, speaking of the outdoors — we encourage you get out to to your favorite frontcountry spot, practice good social distancing, and recharge your soul in these stressful times. The outdoors are one of the best ways we can exercise and connect at this uncertain time. But as a reminder, we should visit our favorite close-to-home places and do so carefully. This is not the moment for a climbing roadtrip. Young people in particular have been known to be contagious without knowing it, potentially bringing the virus to rural communities. Secondly, medical facilities will very likely be overtaxed treating patients with Covid-19, so we should be even more careful than usual not to get injured or need medical help.

Onward.