EPISODE · May 8, 2026 · 1H 4M
Show Me the Money! Paying the Cost for Public Lands
from Trail Break Radio · host Winter Wildlands Alliance
Outdoor recreation on public lands is booming, but the funding to manage those lands is shrinking. As maintenance backlogs grow and budgets vital for outdoor recreation, public lands and waters tighten— the question is dire: will anyone bear the cost of managing public lands? And what happens if no one does? As federal funding falters, states, nonprofits, and local communities are stepping in. But is that a sustainable solution—or does it fundamentally reshape what national public lands are meant to be?SPEAKERS: Betsy Robblee, Conservation and Advocacy Director, The MountaineersJohn Garder, Senior Director of Budget & Appropriations, National Parks Conservation AllianceDan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural ResourcesModerator: Garrett Brennan, Raven Analytics + Three Pin StrategyRESOURCES:Great American Outdoors ActLand And Water Conservation FundAmerica the Beautiful ActNational Parks Conservation AssociationKeep Colorado Wild PassOutdoor Alliance Subscribe to Winter Wildlands AllianceWinter Wildlands Alliance Stash BlogWinter Wildlands Alliance Action CenterSUPPORTED BY: Outdoor Alliance, REI Co-op, The Mountaineers, Duct Tape Then Beer/Dirt Bag Diaries, High Country News, Phreem Family Brewers, and University of Washington’s Pack Forest.CREDITS: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
What this episode covers
Outdoor recreation on public lands is booming, but the funding to manage those lands is shrinking. As maintenance backlogs grow and budgets vital for outdoor recreation, public lands and waters tighten— the question is dire: will anyone bear the cost of managing public lands? And what happens if no one does? As federal funding falters, states, nonprofits, and local communities are stepping in. But is that a sustainable solution—or does it fundamentally reshape what national public lands are meant to be?SPEAKERS: Betsy Robblee, Conservation and Advocacy Director, The MountaineersJohn Garder, Senior Director of Budget & Appropriations, National Parks Conservation AllianceDan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural ResourcesModerator: Garrett Brennan, Raven Analytics + Three Pin StrategyRESOURCES:Great American Outdoors ActLand And Water Conservation FundAmerica the Beautiful ActNational Parks Conservation AssociationKeep Colorado Wild PassOutdoor Alliance Subscribe to Winter Wildlands AllianceWinter Wildlands Alliance Stash BlogWinter Wildlands Alliance Action CenterSUPPORTED BY: Outdoor Alliance, REI Co-op, The Mountaineers, Duct Tape Then Beer/Dirt Bag Diaries, High Country News, Phreem Family Brewers, and University of Washington’s Pack Forest.CREDITS: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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Show Me the Money! Paying the Cost for Public Lands
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