Jackson Gutierrez
Have you ever wondered what it takes to protect the outdoor spaces you love? The Mountaineers Conservation & Advocacy program is our deliberate and strategic plan to safeguard the natural places we all cherish. Our unique, grassroots engagement model is powered by over 17,000 members, including you, and combines conservation education, stewardship, and advocacy with deep policy expertise. This community-driven approach to getting people outdoors creates strong connections to the natural world, turning our community into powerful advocates for public lands and other protected areas.
For years, our community has gathered together in unity for our annual An Evening of Advocacy event to celebrate and fund this vital work, demonstrating how the generous support of our community creates tangible, lasting change.
The registration deadline is September 11.
Why We Advocate: Urgent Threats to Public Lands
This year, our cherished public lands have faced several urgent and emerging threats from Congress and the administration. From staffing cuts to proposed sell-offs and a proposed rollback of the Roadless Rule, the places we love are vulnerable. Drastic cuts to the federal land manager workforce, which have even impacted beloved areas like the Enchantments (as reported by the Seattle Times), and attempts to sell off public lands and roll back protections for backcountry recreation, require the outdoor community’s collective advocacy to meet this critical moment. Not to mention the intensifying impacts of climate change - from wildfires to flooding - which further strains these vital spaces and affects every one of us who finds solace and adventure in the outdoors.
A Community-Supported Solution
Defending our public lands is a powerful act, and our conservation and advocacy work is a direct solution, funded by our community. We recently undertook a Theory of Change exercise to help us showcase how every dollar you give and every hour our staff and volunteers dedicate is strategically invested for maximum impact. The results are clear: by leveraging decades of leadership and a powerful network of partners, lawmakers, land managers, and Tribes, we are building a robust, empowered movement of public lands advocates. We need everyone to be a part of this solution.
On Thursday, September 18, 2025, you have a unique opportunity to see this work in action at An Evening of Advocacy: Defending Our Public Lands. This is more than a fundraiser—it's an opportunity to engage with advocacy partners and policy experts to learn about the latest threats to our public lands and how we can respond. The event will feature a panel discussion around how we can continue to be advocates and defenders of public lands in challenging times. We’re proud to welcome:
- Shawn Bills, State Director for the Office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray
- Vicki Christiansen, former Chief of the U.S. Forest Service
- Louis Geltman, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations at Outdoor Alliance
- Betsy Robblee, Mountaineers Conservation & Advocacy Director (moderator)
Our fundraising goal for the event is $30,000, and your support at any level is an investment in a clear pathway toward a lasting legacy. Funds raised at An Evening of Advocacy directly support our mission to permanently protect critical public lands, increase sustainable access for outdoor recreation, and empower a community of advocates who actively shape conservation policy in Washington and beyond.
Together, we can advocate for the outdoor spaces we all love and make a lasting difference.
Ready to act?
- Get tickets for An Evening of Advocacy! The deadline to purchase tickets is September 11.
- Can't make it? You can still show your support by making a donation.
- Sponsor the event. We’re still seeking individual and corporate sponsors for this year’s event. Email roseb@mountaineers.org for more information.
We look forward to seeing you there!
