60 Outdoor Industry Companies Have Come Together Under a New Coalition, Brands for Public Lands - Public Lands News (April 7 - 11)
This week’s public lands update covers developments from April 3 through April 11, with a quick rewind to catch a few major stories we missed last week (because hey, I'm just a girl, and the news cycle waits for no one)Topics Covered This Week:On April 3rd, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins issued a memo that designates 112 million acres of National Forest lands as part of an “emergency” Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum quietly issued Order No. 3426, requiring all national park closures or service changes to be approved by political leadership in D.C. (even those made for urgent safety reasons.)One day after the order, National Park Service employees received another “Fork in the Road” buyout offer, asking staff to resign by midnight on April 9.During the Senate’s budget reconciliation vote-a-rama on April 6, a proposed amendment to ban the sale of public lands failed, 48 to 51. On April 10, the House passed the reconciliation in a 216 - 214 vote.On April 8th, the Department of the Interior announced that the Colosseum Mine in California can resume mining operations under its existing Bureau of Land Management-approved plan. On April 8, 2025, the Interior Department also revealed a set of actions to revitalize the coal industry, emphasizing coal as a cornerstone of American energy dominance.The next day on April 9th, the Department of the Interior announced more than $13 million in grants aimed at revitalizing coal country by reclaiming abandoned mine lands in North Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.On April 9th, over 60 outdoor industry companies have come together under a new coalition, Brands for Public Lands, to fight the increasing threats facing America’s wild landscapes. Two major announcements dropped on April 10th from the Department of the Interior that together mark a sharp acceleration in fossil fuel development.Phase 2 of the Agency Reorganization and Reduction Plan is due April 14, and more federal layoffs and budget cuts could follow. Vote in the REI Board Election: https://vote.escvote.com/REI/ Have tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9)Links & Resources:https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sm-1078-006.pdf https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/04/04/secretary-rollins-announces-sweeping-reforms-protect-national-forests-and-boost-domestic-timber https://www.nrdc.org/press-releases/usdas-logging-emergency-cover-widespread-forest-destruction https://www.nrdc.org/media/executive-orders-direct-massive-expansion-logging-public-lands https://www.doi.gov/document-library/secretary-order/so-3426-ensuring-national-parks-are-open-and-accessible https://www.npca.org/articles/7868-parks-group-warns-secretary-burgum-s-order-will-endanger-park-visitors-and https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/4/8/public-land-sell-offs-back-on-the-table-in-budget-reconciliation https://www.npca.org/articles/7967-trump-administration-promotes-unauthorized-mining-in-mojave-national https://www.blm.gov/announcement/colosseum-mine-california-given-go-ahead-continue-mining-operation https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-moves-restore-coal-industry https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-disburses-over-13-million-revitalize-coal-communities https://conservationalliance.com/2025/04/businesses-unite-to-defend-public-lands/ https://www.rei.com/newsroom/article/deepening-our-commitment-to-public-lands https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-announces-major-increase-gulf-america-oil-and-gas-reserves http://doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-will-no-longer-pursue-lengthy-analysis-oil-and-gas-leasing-decisions-seven https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/latest-memos/guidance-on-agency-rif-and-reorganization-plans-requested-by-implementing-the-president-s-department-of-government-efficiency-workforce-optimization-initiative.pdf
11 Apr 28min
176. One Simple Way to Protect Watersheds: Prevent Stormwater Runoff with Renee Fortner
When it comes to protecting our rivers and waterways, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental challenges. But what if one of the most powerful solutions started in your backyard? In episode 176 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we explore one simple yet incredibly impactful way to protect local watersheds: preventing stormwater runoff.I’m joined by Renee Fortner, the Director of Programs for RiverLink, a nonprofit working to protect and restore the French Broad River in Western North Carolina. Growing up along the New River in North Carolina, she developed a deep love for the outdoors that led her to pursue a biology degree at UNC-Asheville and a master’s in biology from East Carolina University. With professional certifications in stormwater management and rain garden design, Renee has dedicated her career to protecting the rivers and waterways of Western North Carolina. Through our conversation today, Renee explains how unchecked runoff—from rooftops, parking lots, and roads—can pollute local waterways, worsen flooding, and harm both wildlife and recreation opportunities. You’ll hear how climate change intensifies these issues and get actionable steps individuals, homeowners, and businesses can take to make a difference in their communities.INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/WEBSITE:https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalistORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/bookLISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976--------------------RiverLinkWebsite: https://riverlink.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/river.link/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiOZfkWSbKgnrflpKe42EcQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverlink
7 Apr 33min
Public Land Sales Back on the Table? - Public Lands News (March 31 - April 4)
Welcome to the first edition of our weekly public lands update, where we break down the most important news and policy changes affecting public lands. Topics Covered This Week:Public Land Sales Back on the Table? – Some Republican lawmakers are considering selling off public lands to fund tax cuts and housing near national parks.DOI Moves on Executive Order: "Make DC Safe and Beautiful" – Trump’s order includes graffiti removal but raises concerns about criminalizing homelessness.BLM’s Proposed Emergency Coal Lease – 1,350 acres in North Dakota under review, with public comments open through May 2.Montana Rejects Utah’s Public Land Lawsuit – A win for public lands as Montana lawmakers vote against supporting state control over federal lands.New Congressional Bill & Conservation Funding – Potential changes to the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 could affect funding for youth and conservation corps projects.Links & Resources:The Wilderness Society: Public lands sale discussionDepartment of the Interior: Executive order on D.C. parksBLM Public Comment: Emergency coal lease proposalMontana Free Press: Montana lawmakers reject Utah’s land lawsuitCongress.gov: Proposed bill affecting conservation projectsHave tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9)
4 Apr 9min
175. Why Made in the USA Matters with Mallory Ottariano
Since the time of this interview, Youer, and other small businesses like them, have gone under major changes due to rising costsSome of these changes for Youer include:1. They stopped making things in Missoula due to increased costs and2. 40%+ tariff on fabric has climbed to 60%When we talk about sustainability in the outdoor industry, conversations often revolve around materials, emissions, or packaging—but what about where and how our gear is made?In episode 175 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we’re learning about the importance of domestic manufacturing and why Made in the USA still matters—especially when it comes to building a more ethical, transparent, and sustainable apparel industry.I’m joined by the founder of Youer, a colorful and creative outdoor apparel brand that proudly manufactures 100% of its products in the U.S.—right out of their own factory in Missoula, Montana.We’ll explore how Youer got started, what it really takes to keep production local, and why slow fashion and small-batch design are so powerful in pushing back against fast fashion culture—even in the outdoor world. Founded by Mallory Ottariano, Youer is the result of a decade-long journey that started with sewing colorful, one-of-a-kind clothes in her parents’ basement and selling them on Etsy. What began as a creative outlet quickly turned into a full-time business fueled by road trips, pop-up events, and a deep love of bold design and independent style. After years of challenges working with external factories, Mallory made a bold move to open her own manufacturing space—The Youniverse—in Missoula, Montana, thanks to support from her community. Today, Youer is a thriving brand known for its vibrant prints, ethical values, and commitment to making 100% of its products in the USA, all while reimagining what sustainable and people-centered fashion can look like.INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/WEBSITE:https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalistORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/bookLISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976--------------------YouerWebsite: https://www.shopyouer.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopyouer/
31 Mar 30min
174. Carbon Neutral to Change Climate with Austin Whitman
If you remember, in one of our earliest episodes, episode 23, I spoke with Austin Whitman, to unpack the meaning behind carbon-neutral certifications and what they really mean for consumers, companies, and the planet.Since then, a lot has changed, including the name of the Climate Neutral certification. Climate Neutral has officially rebranded as Change Climate, and in today’s episode, I’m excited to welcome Austin back to talk about what that shift represents and what’s next for their mission.Austin Whitman is co-founder and CEO of The Change Climate Project, a nonprofit with a mission to eliminate carbon emissions by accelerating corporate investments in climate solutions. The organization manages The Climate Label certification, a mark of climate leadership for consumer brands. Austin has spent more than two decades advocating and building solutions for the climate transition across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.In episode 174 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, you’ll get an inside look into how the nonprofit is evolving, what their vision looks like for the next five years, and how the outdoor industry has responded to growing calls for sustainability and climate action. Whether you’re a conscious consumer, a sustainability-minded brand, or just curious about what’s happening behind the scenes in outdoor gear manufacturing, this episode is full of insights on how we can better align our choices with climate action.INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/WEBSITE:https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalistORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/bookLISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976--------------------Change Climate ProjectWebsite: https://www.changeclimate.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechangeclimateproject/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/changeclimate/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChangeClimateProject/
24 Mar 31min
173. Public Lands Under Attack: What’s Happening and What You Can Do
In this episode, we discuss the ongoing threats to our public lands and the attacks on US environmental protections under the current administration. From the push for fossil fuel extraction to rollbacks of key policies like the Antiquities Act and NEPA, the Trump administration's agenda is having devastating impacts on public lands and the environment. We hear from: Jocelyn Torres, Chief Conservation Officer for the Conservation Lands FoundationLouis Geltman, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations at Outdoor AllianceTania Lown-Hecht, the Vice President of Communications and Strategy at Outdoor AllianceDo you have questions or potential guests for future episodes covering public lands policy? Submit any information to our Google Form: https://forms.gle/VQW5ZoVcr6nDEd9t8or reach out via email on our website (theoutdoorminimalist.com)Key Topics:The ongoing dismantling of protections for public lands, including national monuments and the Antiquities Act.The shift towards corporate-friendly policies under the Trump administration and the rise of fossil fuel extraction on public lands.The environmental consequences of rapid resource extraction and the increasing threat to ecosystems, wildlife, and local communities.The impact of staffing cuts within federal land management agencies, weakening both recreational management and wildfire response.How public advocacy is making a difference: Over 100,000 letters sent to Congress and restored positions within land management agencies.What you can do to make your voice heard and protect public lands through organizations like Outdoor Alliance and the Conservation Lands Foundation.Resources:Outdoor Alliance: Take ActionConservation Lands FoundationSign up for updates and more at The Outdoor Minimalist NewsletterEpisode Sources:PBS: https://youtu.be/-sDtdCzMIKA?si=VSw4NdskP7Lw1Wl1PBS: https://youtu.be/vYtDOq-EhYU?si=_-JMWFnbLkZsrSLUhttps://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/2/25/press-release-threats-to-rural-recreation-economies-from-poorly-managed-oil-and-gas-developmentnbsp https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/3/6/public-lands-staffing-crisis-worsens-as-more-layoffs-threatened https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/03/republican-plan-privatize-sell-federal-public-lands-west/ https://www.wilderness.org/articles/press-release/map-illustrate-public-lands-reach-trump-energy-dominance https://www.nrdc.org/media/executive-orders-direct-massive-expansion-logging-public-lands https://www.npr.org/2025/03/13/nx-s1-5325959/federal-employees-court-firing https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/3/13/press-release-outdoor-alliance-rallies-120-businesses-brands-organizations-to-correct-public-land-staffing-reductions https://www.conservationlands.org/new_legislation_seeks_to_gut_public_process_on_federal_public_land_management_in_colorado_montana_oregon_and_wyoming
17 Mar 34min
172. 37.5 Technology’s Science of Sustainable Textiles with Blair Kanis
Sustainability in the outdoor industry has come a long way, but the challenges of waste, microplastic pollution, and textile biodegradability remain an issue many brands struggle to address. That’s where 37.5 Technology comes in. Known for creating high-performance fabrics that enhance comfort and moisture management, 37.5 has also been pushing the boundaries of sustainable textile innovation. One of their latest advancements, the Enhanced Biodegradation Additive (+EB) technology, is designed to accelerate the breakdown of synthetic fibers—helping to combat plastic waste and reduce environmental impact.In episode 172 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I sat down with Blair Kanis from 37.5 Technology to discuss their journey in sustainability, the development of their biodegradation technology, and the challenges of integrating this innovation into the broader textile industry. Blair Kanis is the president and general counsel at Cocona Labs, the creator of 37.5® Technology, and a global leader in sustainable thermoregulation material science. She joined Cocona Labs in 2020 as General Counsel and Director of Sustainability after a decade as an attorney at Kutak Rock LLP, specializing in intellectual property and Corporate Social Responsibility compliance. Active in the sustainability field since 2012, Blair has also taught business and human rights at the University of Denver Law School. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/WEBSITE:https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalistORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/bookLISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976--------------------Cocona LabsWebsite: https://www.thirtysevenfive.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirtysevenfiveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cocona-inc./YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYnXO2QJNaQ-FwYGuNHZ8Uw
10 Mar 25min
171. Peak Design's Employee-Owned Approach to Sustainability with Peter Dering
If you’re into outdoor adventure, photography, or just well-designed gear, chances are you’ve heard of Peak Design. In episode 171 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, Meg is joined by Peter Dering, CEO and founder of Peak Design, to talk about something that sets them apart: employee ownership. They discuss what that actually means in practice, how it influences everything from product development to sustainability initiatives, and why Peak Design believes this model is the future of ethical business.Peter Dering is the founder and CEO of Peak Design, a San Francisco-based company he started in 2010 making photography, outdoor, and lifestyle carry gear. Since launching Peak Design, Dering has overseen 13 Kickstarter campaigns, raising $40M and proving the validity of crowdfunding as a method to maintain financial and operational independence from outside investors. Growing acutely aware of his company’s increasing carbon footprint, Dering co-founded Climate Neutral (now the Change Climate Project): an independent non-profit organization that enlists private businesses to achieve net-zero carbon emissions through a simplified, four-step process. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/WEBSITE:https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalistORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/bookLISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976--------------------Peak DesignWebsite: https://www.peakdesign.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peakdesignFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/peakdesignltdYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/peakdesignvideoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peakdesignReddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/peakdesign/
3 Mar 33min
