Hunters and Anglers Applaud EXPLORE Act Implementation by Secretary Burgum

Directive brings historic outdoor recreation law to life, unlocking new opportunities and access for public land users across the country

Last week, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum signed Secretarial Order 3435, officially implementing the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. The EXPLORE Act is a comprehensive legislative package passed early in 2025 that would expand access opportunities to a variety of public land users, streamline permitting processes for businesses focused on providing recreation opportunities, and modernize outdoor infrastructure. Its implementation marks a historic step forward in expanding outdoor recreation access and modernizing federal recreation policy across the country.

“TRCP joins hunters, anglers, and the millions of other Americans who recreate on public lands and waters in thanking Secretary Burgum for implementing this important bipartisan legislation,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “The EXPLORE Act will have a lasting impact on the continued growth of the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy as it continues to evolve in the 21^st century. Its implementation will ensure that the agencies and the public have the support and tools they need to make the most of their days outdoors.”  

Among many other things, the EXPLORE Act:   

Expands availability of public target shooting ranges on BLM and Forest Land.

Improves road and trail transportation maps on federal land, benefiting motorized and nonmotorized access.

Allows states, counties, and Tribes to conduct recreation infrastructure enhancement or improvements on public lands through Good Neighbor Agreements.

Improves federal coordination and provide assistance to non-federal partners in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.

TRCP works to maintain and strengthen the future of hunting and fishing by uniting and amplifying our partners’ voices in conserving and restoring wildlife populations and their habitat as challenges continue to evolve.

Top photo: Josh Metten

Learn more about the outdoor recreation economy HERE

The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.

by: Dan Morgan

posted in: Highlights

June 28, 2025

TRCP Celebrates Removal of Public Land Sales from Budget Megabill

This critical win for America’s public lands is a testament to the strength and unity of hunters, anglers, outdoor advocates, and conservation-minded lawmakers

Today, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) celebrates a critical win for America’s public lands: the removal of proposed public land sales from the Senate version of the budget reconciliation bill. This victory is a testament to the strength and unity of hunters, anglers, outdoor advocates, and conservation-minded lawmakers who stood up for what’s right.

“Hunters and anglers made it abundantly clear that reconciliation is not the appropriate vehicle for public land sales,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Public lands are a cornerstone of our national heritage, our outdoor traditions, and the economies of countless communities across the country. We’re deeply grateful to Senators Sheehy, Daines, Crapo, and Risch for their leadership and all the lawmakers— including Senator Heinrich— who helped ensure this short-sighted proposal was removed.”

“The removal of public land sales from the budget bill is more than a legislative correction—it’s a reminder of the power of collective advocacy,” Pedersen continued. “This outcome affirms our long-held belief: when we unite, we win.”

The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.

by: Chelsea Pardo

posted in: Highlights

June 26, 2025

Alaska Stewardship in Action

TRCP, BHA, the Forest Service, and the Kenai Watershed Forum team up to help conserve the Russian River

At the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, we believe the most impactful conservation wins occur through collaboration and recent work on Alaska’s Russian River this past May perfectly personifies that sentiment.

This spring, as TRCP’s senior Alaska program manager, I volunteered with the Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Kenai Watershed Forum for the annual Russian River Stewardship Project. Being out in the field to help conserve crucial salmon habitat reminded me just how essential this work is to maintaining Alaska’s remarkable fisheries for anglers and local communities alike.

Each year, this effort brings together volunteers to maintain one of Alaska’s most cherished salmon fisheries. The project focuses on installing temporary fencing along the river to guide anglers to designated access points—a simple but effective way to prevent bank erosion and safeguard fish habitat.

The Russian River is one of the most popular and heavily used fisheries in the state. Each summer, the Russian draws thousands of anglers from across Alaska and beyond hoping to experience the thrill of sockeye fishing in a stunning wild setting. Its clear waters, strong salmon returns, and relatively easy access from the road system make it a treasured public resource—not only for anglers but also for local economies and outdoor recreation traditions. Conserving the river’s ecological health is essential to keeping these opportunities alive for future generations.

At the heart of this fishery are the sockeye salmon, whose migration drives fishing opportunities and the broader ecological cycle. These salmon nourish bears, eagles, and countless other species, and when they spawn and die, their bodies deliver vital marine nutrients deep into inland ecosystems. Ensuring healthy salmon runs means maintaining the health of the forest, the river, and all the life they support—including ours.

With clear skies above and snow still clinging to the distant peaks, ten volunteers suited up in waders, gloves, and hit the trail. Spirits were high, and the sense of community was strong.

Once at the river, the crew worked together to drive posts and stretch fencing along popular access points. While the task was physical, it was also rewarding—each stake in the ground was a small but meaningful investment in the health of the river. By guiding foot traffic away from vulnerable banks, fencing helps reduce sediment runoff, which can degrade spawning habitat and impact salmon survival.

Of course, no day on the Russian is complete without pausing to take in the scenery of water rushing through a lush green corridor framed by rugged alpine slopes. It was a beautiful reminder of what’s at stake and why this kind of stewardship matters.

This work fits squarely within TRCP’s mission in Alaska—to maintain public access and wild places and support the habitat that sustains fish and wildlife populations. Whether we’re weighing in on federal policy or rolling up our sleeves for on-the-ground projects like this one, TRCP is committed to ensuring Alaska remains a place where salmon run strong, hunting and fishing traditions thrive, and conservation is driven by people who care deeply for the land.

Thank you to our partners at BHA, the U.S Forest Service, and the Kenai Watershed Forum for leading this effort, and to the volunteers who made the time to show up and do the work. Your hands-on conservation helps ensure that places like the Russian River remain healthy, accessible, and fishable for generations to come.

We’re proud to support this project and look forward to continuing our work together in the years ahead.

Learn more about TRCP’s work in Alaska HERE.

by: Jamelle Ellis

posted in: Highlights

June 24, 2025

TRCP Applauds America’s Longleaf 2024 Report: A Win for Hunters, Anglers, and Wildlife

2024 report highlights gains from Longleaf Pine restoration, boosting biodiversity, habitat resilience, and opportunities for hunting and fishing.

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) commends America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative (ALRI) on the successful release of its 2024 Range-wide Accomplishment Report, showcasing transformative progress for America’s iconic longleaf pine ecosystem. The report is a testament to 15 years of collaborative dedication across the historic longleaf range.

Once covering more than 90 million acres across the Southeast, the longleaf pine ecosystem continues to rebound thanks to strategic collaboration across federal, state, NGO, Tribal, and private partners. When longleaf pine forests are healthy and fully restored, they rank among the most biologically diverse forest ecosystems on Earth. These landscapes provide vital habitat for species like bobwhite quail, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and the Florida black bear. Longleaf pine ecosystems are also uniquely resilient, better able to withstand and recover from threats such as habitat loss, invasive pests, disease, and wildfire compared to other southern pine forests. Their restoration is a key strategy for safeguarding biodiversity and providing lasting benefits for fish and wildlife, hunters and anglers, private landowners, and the communities that rely on them.

ALRI’s 2024 Range-wide Accomplishment Report illustrates how purposeful ecological work directly improves wildlife, communities, economies, and even national security. These accomplishments resonate deeply with TRCP’s mission to guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish through commonsense, science backed conservation efforts.

Some of the key 2024 highlights include:

2.7 million acres of longleaf pine trees gained through planting and forest management: Since ALRI began tracking in 2010, partners have restored more than 2 million acres of longleaf pine, bringing these fire-adapted forests back into vibrant landscapes.
Over 20 million acres treated with prescribed fire: Prescribed burns have impacted over 21 million acres since 2010, including a record-breaking 2.3 million acres in 2024, the fourth consecutive burn year on record.
More than 100,000 acres of new longleaf planted: Within 2024 alone, 100,260 acres were newly planted, showcasing an ongoing investment in longleaf restoration. Longleaf pine forests provide essential habitat for game species like wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and bobwhite quail.
Nearly 50,000 acres safeguarded via easements and acquisitions: An estimated 49,337 acres were secured through conservation easements and acquisitions, fortifying these forests for future generations.
Measurable benefits to air, water, economy, and wildlife: Restored longleaf stands bolster clean water supplies, support climate resilient forest, open up economic opportunities through timber and understory harvesting, and provide critical habitat, including aiding in the recovery of the red-cockaded woodpecker, now formally down listed from endangered to threatened.
Supporting military readiness: The Department of Defense protected approximately 50,000 acres around Fort Stewart, establishing 11,000 longleaf acres and applying burns across 400,000 acres of existing longleaf habitat, helping preserve buffer zones critical for military training.

Why These Achievements Matter to Hunters and Anglers

For hunters and anglers, healthy habitat means better days afield and on the water. Thriving longleaf pine ecosystems provide essential habitat for species that hunters and anglers value, while also safeguarding the clean water that supports robust fish populations. At TRCP, we work to ensure conservation efforts benefit fish, wildlife, and the sporting traditions we cherish. The 2024 ALRI accomplishments directly advance that mission by restoring and enhancing habitat that improves hunting and fishing opportunities across the Southeast. Here are a few highlights from the report:

Scalable impact – Restoring over 2 million acres demonstrates what effective, collaborative conservation can achieve and mirrors our efforts in public lands, freshwater, marine fisheries, and grassland systems.
Fire management – Prescribed fire maintains ecosystem health, wildfire resilience, and recreation. TRCP supports policies that fund and scale safe burns across all public lands, and advocate for authorized planned burns that enhance forest and grasslands health on private lands.
Public and private synergy – ALRI’s model integrates federal and state agency leadership with engagement from industry, NGO’s, local foresters, and private landowners. These partnerships are essential to all TRCP-supported programs from access initiatives to habitat incentives.
Conservation that matters – Longleaf restoration isn’t simply about the trees, it’s also about clean water, wildlife corridors, economic returns from sustainable timber and tourism, and protecting access to lands. TRCP’s advocacy amplifies these real-world benefits when conservation dollars are in play.
Military-community alignment – Ensuring military training lands remain viable without encroachment for wildfire risk is an underappreciated pillar of national preparedness. By supporting programs like the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program, TRCP not only supports biodiversity but also critical national security infrastructure.

The 2024 ALRI Accomplishment Report demonstrates what’s possible when diverse partners come together around a common goal: healthier longleaf pine forests that benefit hunters, anglers, public access, and local communities alike. These efforts improve habitat for the fish and wildlife we love to pursue, while supporting clean water, public access, and the economies that depend on it. This kind of collaborative, science-driven conservation is essential to sustaining our sporting traditions for generations to come.

You can read the full report HERE.

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