Inside the Conservation Efforts: Business Champions for Our Public Lands (Episode 39)

Send us Fan MailIn 1989, four outdoor brands put together a $40,000 grant to protect public lands. Their insight: their business depended on it. Thirty-five years later, the Conservation Alliance has 200+ business members, has granted $34.5 million, and has helped protect 125 million acres.Kim Paymaster (Grants and Program Director) and Katie Johnson (Campaigns and Engagement Manager) of the Conservation Alliance join The Parks Podcast to explain what the organization does, who it works with, and how businesses of every size — and individuals — can be part of the movement to protect our public lands.In this episode: — How the Conservation Alliance started — and why outdoor brands realized their bottom line depended on conservation — The three organizations people confuse: NPS, NPF, and NPCA — and now TCA — Who's in the network: outdoor gear, energy companies, beverage brands, media, and more — What the grants program actually does — from a 342-acre county park near Asheville to the Boundary Waters to the Grand Canyon — Priority campaigns: Boundary Waters, Grand Canyon National Monument, and the Roadless Rule — The Brands for Public Lands coalition — and why the business voice matters right now in Washington — How small businesses of five or fewer employees can make a bigger impact than they think — What individuals can do: follow, subscribe, support brands that show up, and stay informed — The outdoor economy: $1.2 trillion, and why it all depends on protected lands and watersLinks mentioned: — Conservation Alliance: conservationalliance.com — Brands for Public Lands: conservationalliance.com/brands-for-public-lands — Boundary Waters: savetheboundarywaters.org — Grand Canyon Trust: grandcanyontrust.orgSupport the show