MISSION:
To inspire public lands advocacy by providing information and education designed to encourage and facilitate outdoor recreation and activity.
VISION:
1. Increased recreational usage of OUR public lands;
2. Increased awareness of the outdoor recreation jobs and economy that are contingent upon open access to OUR public lands;
3. Increased advocacy when threats are posed to the recreational quality of or our ability to access OUR public lands.
OUR STORY:
Support Public Lands began in 2017 as the ‘Public Lands Project,’ when long-distance hiker Michelle Markel abandoned plans to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail to instead visit several National Monuments in our western states that had been targeted for possible reduction, redesignation, or elimination entirely.
The first version of this site launched later that year, and grew to include nearly 100 pages of content documenting a wide array of public lands units in a dozen states, the people who enjoy them, and businesses that rely upon our ongoing ability to access them.
This current version is an ambitious extension of the first, and has been entirely redesigned to improve usability, usefulness, and relevance. Future plans include the addition of unique merchandise created by artists and makers who also love and enjoy spending time on OUR public lands, and a membership area in which outdoor recreation enthusiasts and activists can connect, share, and commune.
Thanks for visiting.. I’m glad you’re here!
OUR STRATEGY
ENGAGE
.. by inviting people into the outdoors recreation community.
ENCOURAGE
.. by providing information and resources to help people adventure outdoors with confidence.
EDUCATE
.. by sharing the people and businesses that rely on recreational public lands access.
ADVOCATE
.. by highlighting the issues and threats to our public lands and opportunities to ensure access.
PRESS & COLLABORATIONS
Social Sport Podcast Interview
Listen to an interview with Emma Zimmerman, creator of the 'Social Sport' podcast, which explores the intersection between endurance athletics and activism! (Originally published: May 4, 2020)
REI Co-op Journal Article
Check out 'How to Get Through the Thru-Hiking Off-Season,' from the REI Co-op Journal, in which I was sourced regarding coping with re-entry to 'normal' life after thru-hiking. (Originally published: January 10, 2020)
TEDxSkyforest
Watch my talk presented at TEDxSkyforest, 'Opening the Heart at Three Miles per Hour,' about using long-distance hiking as a medium to overcome stereotyping and build personal relationships with the designated 'Other.' ...
Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine Article
Check out 'Alternate A.T.' from Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine, in which I was sourced regarding the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail! (Originally published: March 6, 2019)
On the Brink – KCAA Radio Appearance
Listen to an interview with Tobin, Erin, and Todd Brinker of the 'On the Brink' Morning Show on California's AM / FM radio station KCAA about hiking the Pinhoti and Appalachian Trails in honor of the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act of 1968....
Hiking Trails for America Guest Blog
Check out this guest blog I wrote for Hiking Trails for America about the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act of 1968 and road walking on the long trails. (Originally published: November, 2017)
MEET THE ‘TEAM’
Michelle 'SuperClassy' Markel
Founder
I fell in love with OUR public lands over the course of hiking +8K mostly solo, mostly long-distance trail miles, and I fall deeper in love every day. When I’m not ganking power & WiFi off family & friends to work on this site, I can typically be found on a trail, or boondocking somewhere on OUR +850 million acres of public lands.
You can follow my explorations on YouTube (PSA: *salty!*) and on Instagram.
Questions? Suggestions? Just want to say hi?
Drop a line here!
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