Backcountry Beat, April 2023
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Friend —
Spring is here at last, bringing blue skies, early morning turkey hunts and rising rivers to western Montana.
The temptation to check out and hit the trail is real. But at BHA, we know that constant vigilance is critical. And right now, your voice is needed to oppose those who would steal one of our most important victories for conservation, public access and our public lands and waters.
We’re closely tracking four bills in the U.S. House of Representatives that take aim at the Land and Water Conservation Fund. H.R. 2207, H.R. 2158, H.R. 2169 and H.R. 2153 would entirely defund or severely limit the ability of the U.S. Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management to strategically acquire areas of important habitat and places key to public access using LWCF dollars.
For years, BHA members and supporters like you dedicated tens of thousands of hours of hard work on behalf of LWCF. BHA members helped achieve passage, in 2019, of the bipartisan Dingell Act, which permanently reauthorizes LWCF, and subsequently, passage of the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020. Advanced by three quarters of members of Congress and signed into law by President Trump, GAOA secures full, permanent funding for LWCF at $900 million annually, guaranteeing LWCF’s continued ability to conserve important habitat and recreational lands and waters all across America.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund exists today because we the people united – and worked together relentlessly – to secure a future for our public lands and waters and our hard-won outdoor opportunities.
So before you set off on your next outdoor adventure, please take 1 minute and stand up – once again – for LWCF. Land is out of the office this week, but I know he’d join me in exhorting us to come together, use our voices and fight for the places that challenge our bodies and feed our souls.
Take action now!
Katie McKalip
VP, External Affairs and Communications
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During the month of April important pieces of legislation that would conserve public lands and waters from Washington and California all the way up to New York and New Jersey were introduced. Members of Congress...
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Our chapters are intensely focused on policy and stewardship projects as things start warming up around the country!
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BHA has partnered with some of our favorite outdoor brands to give away 6 prize packages to get you gear'd up for all your spring time adventures. Whether you're planning to fish glacial lakes in...
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BHA’s Collegiate Program remains dedicated to their “field to floor” mentality. Experiences outdoors on our public lands and waters drive the desire to advocate which is why we continue to grow our Hunting for Sustainability...
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It's time to take the pups out, dust off the fishing tackle, and get excited for big bugs and spring thunder!
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From the BHA Podcast
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Montana's legislature meets for only 90 days every two years, but the amount of work that goes into a single abbreviated session is mind-blowing. In just a few short months during its 2023 session, more...
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The future of public access to public lands is being decided in Wyoming with the ongoing saga of the corner-crossing hunters and their legal travails.
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Member of the Month
Conservation advocacy can be a grind. It requires long hours, thick skin, split-second responsiveness, and the work is often thankless. This is especially true when state legislatures are in session. Unless you're in the thick...
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Chapter of the Month
California BHA is taking a victory lap on several policy wins pertaining to public waters access and the right to fish the inland and coastal waters of the state.
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Corporate Partner
This month's corporate partner of the month is Northwest River Supply, better known as NRS. The gold standard for western whitewater and fishing for decades, employee owned NRS is consistently committed to supporting their conservation...
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Upcoming Events
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13
Jun
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The University Center and The Oval, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
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14
Jun
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Ouray Ranger District of GMUG National Forest,
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15
Jun
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The Oval, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
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16
Jun
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Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Little Rock, AR
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21
Jun
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Sitka Store - Knoxville , Knoxville, TN
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21
Jun
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Big Gumbo Management Area, Marmarth, ND
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21
Jun
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Bishop Pond - Lake Charles , Bryant, AR
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21
Jun
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Public land near Jackson, Montana, Jackson, MT
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21
Jun
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East Willow Island WMA, Cozad, NE
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21
Jun
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Pony Creek, Tipanuk, ID
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