Conservation organizations play important roles in the protection and management of our public lands. They generally focus on conservation advocacy where they advocate for policies that protect natural habitats and biodiversity and they are known to conduct research in order to inform policy decisions and overall conservation strategies. They also engage in legal actions defending our public lands against potential harmful exploitation. These nonprofit associations provide funding for various conservation projects and initiatives which can help restore degraded ecosystems or other preservation projects. They also work to protect areas of historical and cultural significance.

These groups form partnerships with government agencies and other organizations to collaborate and maximize their impact and they also involve local communities in their preservation efforts which encourages local stewardship and increases public awareness about the value of preserving public lands.

They promote sustainable land use practices such as the establishment of protected areas and wildlife corridors, responsible logging practices, reforestation, practices that safeguard water resources and that prevent polluting our water sources, restoration of riparian buffers, protecting endangered species and their habitats including the creation of wildlife preserves, and they promote land use that reduces human-wildlife conflicts.

Conservation Lands can take many forms from small locally protected areas, to State designated areas like a State Land Trust, or nationally designated areas like National Scenic and Historic Trails, Wild and Scenic Rivers, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, and National Monuments. These preserved lands must be protected from "loving them to death" which is why it is crucial that everyone practice all the Leave No Trace methods that protect our precious backcountry lands.

Here is a list of organizations and associations dedicated to protecting the places we love to go hiking and backpacking. Edward Abbey wisely said: "Wilderness needs no defense, only more defenders." The US is losing 3 million acres of land to development every year... so why not get involved in your community to help protect and preserve our natural areas?

One note of caution: These groups do some good and important work but you can't trust all of their claims. Factcheck both sides of every issue, determine who paid for any research, and be sure to examine the views of opposing scientists to make sure you aren't deceived. As much as I love our natural environment I love the truth more.

Conservation and Environmental Organizations

• National Parks And Conservation Association
  Association that advocates for national parks and who works to enforce laws that protect our parks as well as supporting new regulations to address the threats to our parks. They also fight attempts to weaken laws affecting parks.
  
  
• Natural Resources Defense Council
  Environmental action organization that works on saving our wild places, wildlife, getting toxic chemicals out of our environment, etc.
  
  
• Nature Conservancy
  Works around the world to protect our ecologically important lands and waters.
  
  
• Sierra Club
  Grassroots environmental organization that works on issues such as Wilderness areas, etc. They've changed over the decades but not in a good way.
  
  

Wilderness Conservation Organizations

• Pew Charitable Trusts
  Works to increase public lands in the United States that is conserved through legislation, administrative action, or presidential authority.
  
  
• Wilderness Society
  Organization that works to protect America's wilderness. Keep up to date on current Wilderness issues and campaigns. Free Wilderness action alert e-mail newsletter. Get Involved!
  
  
• Wilderness Watch
  Organization dedicated to the protection and proper stewardship of Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers. Has Action Alerts. Get Involved!
  
  

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Backpacking & Hiking Skills

• Bear Safety
• Leave No Trace
• Map & Compass Usage
• Wilderness Survival