This past Saturday marked the 27^th National Public Lands Day. It is a special day that recognizes our shared societal bond that we all can enjoy the beauty, solitude and health-giving attributes of our parks and forests.   
 
Those human and economic benefits are under attack as we battle climate change. The Wilderness Society found that the green-house gas emissions from the production and combustion of fossil fuels, produced on our public lands due to federal leasing programs, are equivalent to over 20% of total U.S. GHG emissions.
 
Our land and water assets need to be a strong ally in our fight for our health. They filter pollutants and capture carbon. As our forests emit enormous carbon through wildfires, managing our land to help mitigate this threat is essential.

In December of 2019, a bill named the “American Public Lands and Waters Climate Solutions Act” was introduced.  It aims to make federal public lands a net-zero source of emissions by 2040. That is ambitious but highly encouraging.

This is the forward thinking legislation that I encourage all of us to support.

Tom Koehler
Sustainable Hiker