On September 27th, communities across the nation will recognize National Public Lands Day. Here in Eagle County, this day carries special meaning. Our community is surrounded by public lands that define who we are. The mountains, forests, rivers, and trails around us are moer than places on a map. They are our backyards, our classrooms, our playgrounds, and the backbone of our community.
A hike through a yellow-leafed aspen stand or a ride through a dense forest is all it takes to be reminded of how fortunate we are to live in a place where more than 80% of the land is public. These spaces give us the freedom to hike, bike, ski, or hunt, while at the same time protecting wildlife, providing clean water, and strengthening our community. They improve our health and well being, serve as classrooms for our next generation, offer renewal and rejuvenation, and sustain elk, deer, bears, and countless other species. Rivers that begin high in the mountains flow far beyond our community, carrying necessary water to millions.
Public lands also fuel our economy. Access and enjoyment of these lands attract visitors who fill our hotels, dine in our restaurants, and support local shops. Families choose to move here for access to the outdoors, and employers benefit from a workforce drawn to the mountain lifestyle. Public lands are one of our most reliable economic engines and we must care for them and sustain them.
They are also part of our cultural heritage, though we must remember that the story of public lands begins with the displacement of Native peoples from their ancestral territories. Here in Eagle County, these landscapes were first home to the Ute people, who lived with and cared for them for countless generations. Their stewardship shaped the forests, rivers, and valleys long before public land policies existed. For many who came later, these lands became places to hunt, fish, and find peace. Those traditions continue today, reminding us of our deep connection to place and our responsibility to care for it.
It is also worth noting that the very concept of public lands is uniquely American. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, leaders like Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir advanced the idea that vast landscapes should be preserved for everyone, not just the privileged few. In most countries, mountains, forests, and rivers are not public and are privately owned. In the United States, they belong to all of us. Public lands are a bold American experiment, one that gives every person a shared stake in the outdoors. It is a privilege we are all born with and lucky to enjoy, and it comes with the responsibility to care for these places so they remain intact for generations to come.
How much of our taxes and federal budget goes toward public lands? The answer is surprisingly small. Nationwide, only about 0.05% of the federal budget supports the agencies that manage our national parks, forests, and wild places. Yet even with such a modest investment, the return is extraordinary. Studies credit the White River National Forest alone with $1.6 billion of annual economic impact on our local communities, supporting more than 22,000 jobs. Public lands also protect watersheds that guarantee clean drinking water and provide less tangible but equally powerful benefits: improved health, stronger social connections, adventure, awe, and inspiration from landscapes that shape our community.
Recently, there has been a lot of national conversation and attention on our public lands. To protect them, one of the most powerful tools we have is our voice. It is necessary to speak up to elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels to support public lands. Policies such as the Public Lands Rule, the Roadless Rule, and funding for the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management ensure our shared lands are cared for. Decisions made in Denver and Washington, as well as right here in Eagle County, shape the future of our trails, forests, and waters. By voicing our support, we strengthen the foundation of stewardship that keeps these places whole.
National Public Lands Day is both a celebration and a reminder. The forests and valleys around us are living systems that sustain our health, our wildlife, and our economy. They are gifts handed down from those who came before us, and responsibilities we hold for those who will follow.
As September 27 approaches, I encourage you to get outside. Hike a favorite trail or explore a new one. Look closely at the mountains, forests, wildlife, and rivers that surround you. Remember that these places are ours, not in the sense of ownership, but in the sense of shared responsibility. Let us celebrate National Public Lands Day by renewing our commitment to protect, to cherish, and to pass forward the greatest treasure we have: our public lands.
The VVMTA’s mission is to maintain, create, and advocate for sustainable trail systems that connect people to nature, promote environmental stewardship, and strengthen community well-being. The VVMTA is the trusted and enduring leader in trail-based recreation, connecting a diverse community to well-loved trails, supporting health, quality of life, and economic vitality, while championing a model of access and stewardship of our public lands that benefits everyone.
