Deceit, Our Trademark: We aim to exploit their public lands, never speaking an honest word. Now, we are punished, sentenced to sweeping the forest floors we believed were ours to plunder. — MAGA
Henry Clement, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, August 2023. Photo by Captain Andrew Derr.
By Henry Clement
The loss of America’s outdoor economy could be long-lasting, with permanent impacts amounting to billions of dollars. Hunters, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts, and the larger recreation industry must respond decisively to the MAGA agenda. This threatens much more than public access—it undermines the very foundation of conservation in the United States.
MAGA
The current administration’s policies not only close off public lands, but also roll back protections for air and water quality. They also roll back protections for monuments, national forests, and wetlands. These actions set off a domino effect. Harming businesses that depend on recreational access to public lands and waters.
Expanded drilling, mining, and industrial development on public lands erode protections for wildlife habitat. They also reduce carbon storage in forests and soils and make it difficult to pivot toward renewable energy and recreation-based economies.
How it ends
Once fossil fuel infrastructure is established, it remains for decades. This locks these lands into extractive use and impedes a transition to more sustainable industries. Such changes fragment ecosystems, heighten wildfire risks, and reduce the capacity of landscapes to buffer floods, store carbon, and maintain biodiversity.
Montana Stonefly golden stone Nymph – Thom Glace
A thriving outdoor economy faces destruction at the hands of a few wealthy donors and three powerful industries
The outdoor recreation economy is a powerhouse, generating hundreds of billions of dollars in consumer spending. Supporting millions of jobs in the U.S. This includes positions in bait-and-tackle shops, outfitters, and sporting goods stores. As well as countless other small businesses that serve anglers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Destroy is his trademark
All of this is now jeopardized by MAGA-era policies. Data show that counties with more nearby public lands outperform comparable counties. Without them, job growth and economic opportunity suffer, highlighting the crucial role of recreation-based businesses.
Crush the little people
Gateway communities and local stores—mom-and-pop tackle shops, outfitters, rental shops, small hotels, and restaurants—rely directly on the health and accessibility of nearby public lands. As new access restrictions are adopted, visitation declines, resulting in reduced habitat protection and severe economic impacts for these communities.
RV trip photos – an Osprey Fishing in Maine. Envato image.
Public means us
Hunters, anglers, and specialized outdoor users are vital to local economies, purchasing gear, licenses, and guided trips—often at higher per-visitor spending rates than general tourists. Public lands managed for wildlife and fish habitat, such as national forests, BLM lands, and monuments with hunting and fishing access, help maintain this demand and support local businesses. These users are typically repeat visitors, providing stable revenue streams, especially in rural areas with strong outdoor traditions.
Protected public lands and monuments enhance the long-term prospects of outdoor-focused businesses by attracting visitors seeking high-quality, well-managed recreation.Conserved areas are associated with growth in tourism, housing, and higher revenues for nearby restaurants, motels, and outfitters.
In short, healthy public lands drive economic vitality, while local businesses are key partners in conservation and stewardship.
Herd of migrating caribou- Envato image.
NOTE: Featured image a Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Photo credit: Dan Cook (USFWS).
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