Our Impact

Everything we do at Public Lands Alliance is for the lands we love.

Explore this page to discover our recent impacts.

CONNECT

Our diverse community of nonprofits includes organizations of all sizes working together across the country for the common goal of supporting and stewarding our shared public lands. We are proud to offer a space where these organizations can share and seek advice, collaboratively problem solve, and celebrate each other's wins. Some recent additions to our community include:

*American Conservation Experience
American Hiking Society
*Coalition to Protect America's National Parks
Frances Perkins Center
Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
Friends of De Soto National Memorial
Friends of the Dillon Ranger District
Friends of New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Friends of the Lost Coast
Friends of Patuxent Research Refuge
Friends of Raystown Lake
Friends of Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail
Oregon-California Trails Association
*Trails Foundation of Northern Utah

View all our Public Lands Partners and *Community Allies

a young man kneels next to an albatross chick on the beach at Midway Atoll to pick up trash. Besides the trash, it is a beautiful beach scene

A grandfather and granddaughter read an interpretive sign on the edge of a lake that overlooks the mountains in Glacier National Park

A young woman in a forest service uniform holds up an animal skull during a presention in the forest

PLA's Annual Convention and Trade Show connects public lands nonprofits, companies, and agency staff for a week of networking, knowledge-sharing, and exploring public lands.

PLA 2026 took place in Daytona Beach, Florida, and focused on the power of place and how, together, we can chart a bold, inclusive, and resilient path forward for the stewardship of public lands.

Collage of 7 photos showing people at a convention where they are sitting around tables talking, walking a tradeshow floor, shaking hands, and smiling at the camera

PLA 2027 Logo

Save the date for PLA 2027! The PLA annual Convention and Trade Show heads to Bellevue, Washington, for a week of networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring public lands!

STRENGTHEN

In addition to the knowledge shared and gained at the annual convention and trade show, PLA regularly hosts educational webinars that help members increase capacity and achieve their goals.

Recent webinars include:

Advocacy 101 for Public Lands Partners
Host Elected Officials on Your Public Lands This Summer
Eco-Conscious Retail: Start Small & Make a Big Impact
Major Donor Fundraising Part 1: An Overview – Identifying, Cultivating, and Asking for Major Gifts
Major Donor Fundraising Part 2: Essential Stories and Adapting for the Current Landscape
Major Donor Fundraising Part 3: Effective Major Donor Meetings - Seize the Moment to Secure the Gift
Implementing a New Membership Program in Five Steps
The Strategic Sprint^TM: Practical Strategic Planning for Public Lands Nonprofits

View upcoming webinars here

Woman standing at the entrance of an Arizona slot canyon. The early sun casts a shadow at the entrance that makes the rocks appear purple.

REPRESENT

As the national voice for the nonprofit partners of America's public lands, PLA aims to strengthen policies and legislation that enhance public lands partnerships to protect America’s natural and cultural heritage. We are nonpartisan in our education and advocacy, and we endeavor to share the significance and value of public lands with leaders, regardless of their political affiliation.

Examples of our advocacy efforts include:

Responding to the call for comments by the House Appropriations Subcommittee Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, and Related Agencies. Read the comment.
Authoring a letter to the Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, asking for an immediate pause in the termination of federal leases by the Department of the Interior. Read the Letter.
Submitting a letter to NPS regarding the impact of seasonal employees on nonprofit partners. Read the letter.
Joining 494 groups in a letter to Congress asking to reverse the public land management agency terminations. Read the letter.
Responding to NPS Director's Order #20 on behalf of our members. Read the comment.

female park ranger overlooking a lake

PLA board members at the National Park Service Headquarters

Each May, PLA's leadership team and Board of Directors convene in Washington, DC, to hold meetings with federal officials, including members of Congress and acting Directors of the public land agencies.

These meetings focus on educating elected officials about our members, why appropriate staffing and budgeting of public land management agencies are critical, and asking them to pass the newly introduced "America the Beautiful Act."

PLA's community strengthening and advocacy efforts were critical during the 2025 government shutdown. We hosted weekly "Shutdown Check-in" meetings with executive leaders to share insights and information with the community. Over 70 individuals regularly attended.

Additionally, throughout the 43-day federal government shutdown, PLA consistently updated members of Congress on the growing negative impacts on public land nonprofits.

PLA shutdown impacts