FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 24, 2026
Contact:
Media@backcountryhunters.org
Public Lands Community Signals It Will Be Watching BLM Director Confirmation
BHA President and CEO encouraging owners of major outdoor brands to afford staff time to watch live stream of hearing
Missoula, MONTANA—Ahead of the February 25, 2026, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing examining the nomination of Stevan Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is encouraging its members, supporters, and the broader outdoor industry to follow the proceedings in real time. The public lands advocacy group has created an event page dedicated to the live stream that is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. EST.
“Our public lands are too important to entrust to anyone but the best person for the job, so we expect our Senators to treat tomorrow’s hearing as a true job interview where they ask direct, hard-hitting questions and get clear and honest answers in return,” said Ryan “Cal” Callaghan, BHA President and CEO. “The person tapped to lead the BLM will directly impact how 245 million acres of our public lands and waters are managed. That responsibility deserves serious discussion, real consideration, and a public that’s paying close attention. We’re doing our part by bringing the voice of public lands users into this process and paying close attention. Now, it’s the Senate’s turn.”
Community input shaping the conversation
Earlier this year, BHA conducted a large-scale community engagement effort focused specifically on the BLM director nominee.
Within 72 hours, more than 3,700 members and supporters participated, offering detailed questions and priorities for senators to consider during the confirmation process.
“The breadth and depth of responses received leave very little ambiguity about what the hunting and angling community expects of this role: trust, accountability, and a clear commitment to keeping public lands public,” said Nadia Marji, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for BHA. “Those expectations form a clear benchmark for this confirmation process — one senators now have an opportunity to test.”
BHA intends to conduct similar community polls in the future for federally appointed positions that significantly influence the management of public lands, waters, and wildlife — reinforcing the organization’s commitment to bringing the voice of public lands users into key decision-making moments.
Encouraging industry engagement
In addition to BHA staff, Callaghan is urging outdoor businesses and brands to give employees time during the workday to follow the proceedings, framing the hearing as a consequential moment for the public lands that underpin the hunting, angling, and outdoor recreation community.
“Public lands are the foundation of our community and our industry,” Callaghan said. “Giving employees time to follow decisions that affect them reflects how much is at stake — and shows that these issues matter far beyond Washington.”
A committee vote on the nomination is expected roughly one week after the hearing.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. To learn more about issues important to BHA’s membership, visit https://www.backcountryhunters.org/get-involved/issues.
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