Public Lands From the Ground Up: Where Do We Go From Here? episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 4, 2026 · 1H 7M

Public Lands From the Ground Up: Where Do We Go From Here?

from Trail Break Radio · host Winter Wildlands Alliance

The agencies charged with managing our federal public lands have been deeply understaffed and chronically underfunded for decades—even before the current administration’s chainsaw approach to government. Many in the public have long been frustrated with the perceived complexity and inefficiency of public process and decision-making. Now, in the wake of the deepest cuts in the history of America’s public lands, are there silver linings for the future? Are there (or will there be) opportunities for legitimate reform that might actually improve the ways that public lands agencies balance sustainable recreation management with resource protection and conservation?SPEAKERS: Susan Jane Brown, Principal & Chief Legal Counsel, Silvix ResourcesHilary Eisen, Federal Policy Director, Wild MontanaMegan Birzell, Washington State Director, The Wilderness SocietyModerator: Fitz Cahall, Dirtbag DiariesRESOURCES:⁠Travel Management Rule⁠ Winter Wildlands Alliance Action Center Subscribe to Winter Wildlands AllianceWinter Wildlands Alliance Stash BlogSUPPORTED BY: Outdoor Alliance, REI Co-op, The Mountaineers, Duct Tape Then Beer/Dirt Bag Diaries, High Country News, Phreem Family Brewers,University of Washington’s Pack Forest, and Mountain Training CenterCREDITS:Produced and co-hosted by Anneka Williams and Emily ScottEdited by Adam Titmuss Theme music by Rattlesnake Preachers feat. Kerry McClayAdditional Music by Blue Dot Sessions

The agencies charged with managing our federal public lands have been deeply understaffed and chronically underfunded for decades—even before the current administration’s chainsaw approach to government. Many in the public have long been frustrated with the perceived complexity and inefficiency of public process and decision-making. Now, in the wake of the deepest cuts in the history of America’s public lands, are there silver linings for the future? Are there (or will there be) opportunities for legitimate reform that might actually improve the ways that public lands agencies balance sustainable recreation management with resource protection and conservation?SPEAKERS: Susan Jane Brown, Principal & Chief Legal Counsel, Silvix ResourcesHilary Eisen, Federal Policy Director, Wild MontanaMegan Birzell, Washington State Director, The Wilderness SocietyModerator: Fitz Cahall, Dirtbag DiariesRESOURCES:⁠Travel Management Rule⁠ Winter Wildlands Alliance Action Center Subscribe to Winter Wildlands AllianceWinter Wildlands Alliance Stash BlogSUPPORTED BY: Outdoor Alliance, REI Co-op, The Mountaineers, Duct Tape Then Beer/Dirt Bag Diaries, High Country News, Phreem Family Brewers,University of Washington’s Pack Forest, and Mountain Training CenterCREDITS:Produced and co-hosted by Anneka Williams and Emily ScottEdited by Adam Titmuss Theme music by Rattlesnake Preachers feat. Kerry McClayAdditional Music by Blue Dot Sessions

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Public Lands From the Ground Up: Where Do We Go From Here?

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This episode is 1 hour and 7 minutes long.

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This episode was published on February 4, 2026.

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The agencies charged with managing our federal public lands have been deeply understaffed and chronically underfunded for decades—even before the current administration’s chainsaw approach to government. Many in the public have long been frustrated...

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