Felicia Brower
Earlier this month, Colorado Mountain Club CEO Madeline Bachner Lane represented the CMC alongside the Outdoor Alliance (OA) during a trip to Washington D.C. There they met with decision makers responsible for protecting Colorado’s people and public lands.
Before Madeline ventured east, she went to the annual Backcountry Snowsports Initiative (BSI) hut trip outside of Leadville, CO to have some in-depth policy discussions and develop plans with partners from across Colorado. Seeing so many people care deeply about the future of the state has been one of the few upsides of a turbulent time. From the BSI trip to discussions with OA partners to feedback from community members, every insight helped her get in the mindset to make change. “It's always so valuable to connect with the other executive directors and CEOs,” says Madeline. “Hearing their perspectives and strategizing together about our collective involvement with OA really helps me frame how I think about the broader landscape of outdoor organizations. It’s an inspiring group of people to be around.”
The visit was an eye-opening one and a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Coming off the high of celebrating the implementation of the Explore Act to the stark reality of having to argue against the wholesale selling of our public lands was tough to accept. “We met with representatives and advisors to those who couldn't be there in person, including a meeting with the Secretary of the Interior – a first for me personally in this capacity, though CMC has certainly advocated at this level before,” says Madeline. “It was jarring to move between conversations with folks who seemed open to our perspective and those who, let's just say, had a very different agenda.”
For Madeline, it left her with even greater respect for the Outdoor Alliance team and those who work in D.C. consistently. They are incredibly skilled at being pragmatic, finding common ground, and telling the stories that resonate. They understand how to navigate these complex political systems without resorting to simplistic "save the environment at all costs" rhetoric. They effectively highlight the immense value in public land that the millions of people across the country that our collective memberships represent. This is where our power lies, even if it doesn't always feel like we're in the strongest position right now.
“We had some significant meetings, including with representatives from Northern California and New Mexico, as well as an important conversation with the Secretary of the Interior and his senior advisor,” says Madeline. “Personally, the whole experience really reinforced my pretty low tolerance for the political maneuvering that goes on. But even with that, I left feeling empowered. It felt genuinely good to be in those rooms, speaking directly to these individuals, and feeling like I authentically represented our 6,000 members , the 15,000 people in our network, and the countless Coloradans who cherish our public lands.”
What struck Madeline the most was the vastly different vibe in each office. They had to prep for each meeting, strategizing about what to emphasize and how to present themselves to a new audience. “It's part of the political dance – fascinating as an observer, but sometimes feeling a bit like putting on a costume,” says Madeline. “There were eight of us from different OA organizations, all looking our "D.C. best" in blazers and non-sensible shoes, a far cry from our usual climbing pants and organizational tees!”
But beneath the surface, there was a powerful sense of purpose. OA’s non-partisan approach, coupled with the incredible skills of building connections and telling compelling stories, truly opens doors, facilitates connections between different offices, and strengthens the relationships that are so vital for progress.
One of the most insightful takeaways was a comment from a decisionmaker who expressed excitement about working with OA precisely because they couldn't even tell which way the people we brought to the table leaned politically. That really hit home. It underscored the importance of being more pragmatic, focusing on shared values, and building bridges.
“Wednesday was a whirlwind of getting around D.C.. I quickly discovered how incredibly bikeable the city is and hopped on one of their city bikes,” says Madeline. “It was a fun way to get between our six meetings in five different buildings across the capital. I even managed to squeeze in a visit to the cherry blossoms – a truly beautiful sight that turned into a very special moment after a sudden downpour wiped them out almost immediately after I saw them! That little moment felt like my personal connection to nature amidst the intensity of D.C.”
Overall, the trip was a reminder of the importance of advocacy and the power of our collective voice. Let's continue to share our stories and ensure that the value of our public lands remains at the forefront of the minds of our decision makers. It can be difficult to feel like we’re making much progress, but the Secretary of the Interior recently issued a mandate for national parks to remain open. While it didn't specifically address rehiring staff, it shows that our voices are being heard.
“Even when it felt like we weren't making immediate headway, just being there, establishing contacts, and having the opportunity to share our stories felt like a crucial step,” says Madeline. “That's the action I feel we can all take: keep sharing those stories that remind people of the inherent value of these places – our American public lands.”
Want to help make an impact? CMC members are being asked to share stories about the real-world impacts of recently made decisions. If you encounter a closed gate, a lack of facilities, or any other issue on public lands, please share it with us. Because of this trip, we have direct lines to people in D.C. who can hear these stories and potentially take action.
Also, don’t forget to sign these petitions from OA if you haven’t already!
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