The idea that outdoor recreation leads to meaningful conservation rests on a big ‘if.’
Recreation
How might humans and wilderness co-exist?
I want my daughter to know the wilderness outside our cabin, and the wildness within each of us.
Death in the alpine
Social media is changing our relationship to risk, with deadly consequences.
Extreme mountain biker group fights for wilderness access
A new law could change the nature of wilderness travel.
Through a thru-hiker’s eyes
A photographer captures the community he found on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Don’t even think about leaving a trace
An outdoorswoman reflects on the myriad kinds of litter she’s encountered in nature.
The Gates of the Arctic, revealed
From charging bears to glacier-carved valleys, photographs capture the real nature of the national park.
Frackin’ on heaven’s door
How many people over the centuries have loved the Pawnee Buttes, only to see them ravaged?
Reckoning with History: The parks have been fixed before
How the government tackled the post-war threats of national park ‘disfigurement’ and ‘destruction.’
When boyhood friendships were forged outdoors
After his friend’s passing, a writer reflects on a life spent chasing fish and toads.
Let your kids play with fire
Giving a 6-year-old fire-tending responsibilities is good for the whole family.
Montana’s only congressman sells public lands short
Recreation-based businesses like canoe guiding rely on continued protection for national monuments.
Exchange or exploitation? Ski towns turn to foreign students
The J-1 program is the main source of migrant labor for the ski industry.
Republican politicians should support the outdoor industry
Public lands should be conserved — not exploited for short-term gain.
What Westerners take for granted
“I never really considered the concept of public lands until I moved to Iowa.”
An armchair journey to the desert
A photography book captures the natural splendor of Utah’s five national parks.
The Wyoming Public Lands Initiative risks collapse
As conflicting groups search for middle ground, some say the process is being rushed.
Latest: Outdoor recreation recognized as economic contributor
The Commerce Department affirms the growing clout of outdoor retailers.
National parks, where landscape and culture intersect
A photography book explores the history of travel within our nation’s parks.
Protected lands generate big-time revenue
In Alaska, sustainable recreation dollars help advocates for protected areas.
