Dear Friend,

There are several important updates we wanted to share so we’ll get right to it:

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PUBLIC TRUST, Public Lands
Tuesday, September 29th at 11am PT // noon MT // 2 pm ET

To celebrate National Public Lands Day on September 26, join us for a special virtual screening and conversation of Patagonia’s new film PUBLIC TRUST. Our special, two-part community event allows you to watch PUBLIC TRUST on your schedule between September 26 - 29th and then join us on Tuesday, September 29th at 11 am PT for our online discussion.

PUBLIC TRUST Part love letter, part political exposé, the film investigates beloved public lands that are at particularl risk, from Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—and makes a case for their continued protection. Watch the PUBLIC TRUST trailer HERE.

Community-Based Action

Sarah Thomas of Conserve Southwest Utah reported to members of the House Natural Resources Committee this week that The Bureau of Land Management wants to route a four-lane highway through federal lands in Utah that were purchased with Land and Water Conservation Fund money.

Sarah Thomas of Conserve Southwest Utah and Tu-Wee the Mojave Desert Tortoise

As reported in the St. George Spectrum and E&E News:

"There are strict requirements about what can happen on lands purchased with these funds and a highway is something that just cannot be done," Tom Butine, who serves as board president of CSU, told The Spectrum. "We’re asking the House Natural Resources Committee to stop this NEPA process and to stop the BLM and the County and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) from approving their preferred route. Set the decision aside and say, 'no, we can’t do that, that’s illegal.'”

“We will not sit idly while BLM abuses the public's trust and diverts millions of dollars from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to pave paradise and put up a four-lane highway," said Todd Tucci, senior attorney for Advocates for the West, a Boise, Idaho-based law firm working with the groups.”

This election will be among the most consequential for public lands and we’re helping to mobilize a record number of voters who want to protect them for future generations. Turn your love for public lands into action by visiting our Election Center and making your plan to vote. Our national My Future My Vote mobilization campaign makes it fun and social to set up your voting plan and recruit family, friends and followers to join you!

Show Your Love for Public Lands

In honor of National Public Lands Day September 26, support our work with $5, $10 (or more!) and get your My Future My Vote sticker. Donate Now.

Friends Grassroots Network Spotlights

Grand Staircase-Escalante Partners and The Bees of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Film Premiere
September 24 at 4:30 pm PT // 5:30 pm MT // 7:30 pm ET

You may already know and love Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument for its stunning cliffs and canyons. Did you know it’s also home to over 660 different species of bees?! Join Grand Staircase-Escalante Partners on September 24 for the premiere of “The Bees of Grand Staircase-Escalante” to learn more about how bees and our public lands are intertwined. Save your spot today: rebrand.ly/thebees2020

Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance is hosting a Drive-in screening of PUBLIC TRUST on Public Lands Day September 26 at 7:30 pm MT at Joe Rowell Park in Dolores, CO. Advance tickets for $10/vehicle are available at bit.ly/onwardfoundation choose item “SCCA Drive-In”. Spots are limited.

Art by Lee Sekaquaptewa.

Utah Diné Bikéyah convened their annual Bears Ears Gathering virtually on September 5 and 6. View the recording here.

Friends of Ironwood Forest (AZ) will hold a virtual event on National Public Lands Day, September 26, allowing supporters to “tour” three important sites from the comfort of their computer and get inspired to visit and volunteer for public lands.

To find out more, like Friends of Ironwood Forest’s Facebook page or check back to their website closer to the event date.

New Job Posting

We’re looking for an exceptional communications professional to join our team as Communications Associate Director. This person will play a vital role in designing and executing inspiring campaigns to protect America’s National Conservation Lands. More details here.

Thank you for all you do to support the Conservation Lands Foundation and America’s public lands.

Sincerely,

Brian Sybert
Executive Director