Our $1 Million Community Investment

Community connects us, supports us and reminds us that even through unprecedented challenges and crises, we are here for each other. Supporting the capacity and resiliency of the more than 70 community partners that make up our Friends Grassroots Network is at the core of our mission.

To ensure our Friends Grassroots Network partners can weather these uncertain times and remain a strong and effective voice for public lands, last week the Conservation Lands Foundation Board of Trustees voted unanimously to distribute $1 million in grants to 22 groups across 9 states.

Our financial commitments are only one part of our support to our partners. Our Grassroots Advancement Program, along with our Field, Policy, Government Affairs and Communications teams provide one-on-one, group and web-based training, mentoring, networking, and tools to support our Friends Grassroots Network partners every step of the way.

Together, we will defend, protect and expand our National Conservation Lands.

1. Native Movement | Alaska 

   Supporting Indigenous grassroots led organizing around environmental justice and climate justice issues faced throughout the North Slope, particularly in the Western Arctic

2. The Alaska Center | Alaska 

   To support The Alaska Center’s Education Fund, a robust program across the state aimed at increasing involvement from historically marginalized communities and building partnerships to broaden the network of advocacy.

3. Archaeology Southwest | Arizona

   To support continued advocacy for stronger protections for the Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape with a focus on bringing more tribal voices to the table through new fieldwork with the Pueblo of Zuni.

4. Mattole Restoration Council/King Range Alliance | California 

   To support: 1) increased local residents’ connection with the King Range National Conservation Area; 2) stewardship and interpretive opportunities for all visitors; and 3) increased equity and inclusion among King Range National Conservation Area.

5. Tuleyome | California 

   To support organizational sustainability and to spearhead the development of a community alternative for Berryessa Snow Mountain in collaboration with a broad base of stakeholders over the next year.

6. Friends of the Inyo | California

   To support continued defense of public lands on the eastern Sierra against inappropriate mining development.

7. Mojave Desert Land Trust | California 

   To provide women with opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields through their Women in Science Discovering Our Mojave (WISDOM) program and to increase awareness of National Conservation Lands.

8. Amargosa Conservancy | California

   To support outreach, advocacy and impact for the Amargosa Basin, facilitate scientific work and communication and continue strategic growth and development of the organization.

9. Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve | California

   To support updated interpretive signage and improve and expand youth programming.

10. Native American Land Conservancy | California

    To support community engagement and conservation priorities with FGN partners and tribal communities, staff recruitment and website updates.

11. Colorado Canyons Association | Colorado

    To bring powerful and diverse voices forward to advocate for three of Colorado’s highest profile units in the National Conservation Lands.

12. Western Slope Conservation Center | Colorado 

    To defend North Fork Valley conservation values through the Resource Management Planning process.

13. Dolores River Boating Advocates | Colorado 

    To advance the campaign to protect Dolores River and continue stewardship activities. 

14. Friends of Nevada Wilderness | Nevada

    To secure additions to the National Conservation Lands in Nevada.

15. Friends of Gold Butte | Nevada

    To support their education, business outreach and stewardship.

16. New Mexico Wild | New Mexico 

    To support efforts to protect Caja del Rio in Santa Fe County. 

17. Friends of Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument | New Mexico 

    To support organizational effectiveness and conservation of public lands in southern New Mexico.

18. Friends of the Owyhee | Oregon

    To support efforts to protect Oregon's Owyhee Canyonlands.

19. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument | Utah 

    To support education about how GSENM and all public lands are critical to mitigating climate change, and to increaseIndigenous engagement in the Grand Staircase-Escalante region.

20. Utah Diné Bikéyah | Utah 

     Support to engage grassroots Native American communities (Diné, Ute, and Pueblo) in planning efforts around Bears Ears National Monument and defend Bears Ears, regional public lands, and the Antiquities Act against political attack, and to improve communications outreach to increase narrative sovereignty within our communities and among partner nonprofits.

21. Friends of Cedar Mesa | Utah 

    To support continued defense of Bears Ears National Monument in the courts for durable protection for the region extending between Bears Ears and Chaco, and  via planning efforts and  on the ground education.

22. Wyoming Outdoor Council | Wyoming 

    To support efforts to protect high-elevation desert and sagebrush landscape in Wyoming's Red Desert.