From towering mountains to stark deserts, from glorious forests to wide open fields, lands are an integral part of creation. Just as it was for the ancient Israelites, land is more than real estate or mere dirt under our feet. While land includes the gifts of soil, air, and water for material sustenance, it is also the foundation of human community — where we live, work, play, and find spiritual renewal. Public lands are the areas we already know and love: state and national parks, wilderness areas, national forests, scenic trails, national monuments, wildlife refuges, national recreation areas, and more.
People of faith have a moral obligation to protect public lands so that all beings – both human and non-human – can share in the bounty that flows from them. We are called to speak out for justice while caring for the common good.
Along with our friends at Washington Wild and the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, Earth Ministry/WAIPL is working with our local US senators and representatives to protect our wilderness nationally. We encourage legislators to support the Antiquities Act of 1906 and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Support the Antiquities Act of 1906
The Antiquities Act of 1906 allows the President to designate federal lands which contain objects of historic, scientific, or scenic significance as a national monument in order to prevent damage from commercial and other development. As people of faith, we must speak up to preserve current and future Presidents’ ability to protect our precious lands for future generations.
Protect the Land and Water Conservation Fund
In 1964, Congress made a commitment to the American public that a small portion of revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling would go to outdoor recreation and conservation across the nation, as an offset for the depletion of resources that belong to us all. Yet, year after year, Congress diverts most of these funds for purposes unrelated to conservation.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is essential for our quality of life. The fund has invested approximately $530 million in Washington over the last 40 years to expand public access to lakes and streams; build sports fields, trails, and local parks; conserve working forests; and protect state icons like Mount Rainier, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, and the Yakima River watershed. Our faith calls us to ensure that Congress includes full funding for this important program, and that the funds are used for conservation projects.
Public Lands News & Events
United States/Canada Announce “Agreement in Principle” on CRT
2023 All Our Relations Snake River Campaign
Register to Vote TODAY in WA! Last chance before the primary
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Information on Our Public Lands Campaign
This Land is Our Land: Faithful Stewardship of Public Lands
This Land is Our Land PowerPoint Earth Ministry/WAIPL’s PowerPoint on public lands
Op Ed: Fund the great outdoors, by Rev. John LaMunyon
Further Resources
Ken Burns’ National Parks Religious Study Guides and “Clips” DVDs
Rooted in God’s Word and Land and Out of the Wilderness publications by the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program with reflections, prayers, sermon starters, worship ideas, and activities for Christian communities around public lands
West is Best: How Public Lands in the West Create a Competitive Economic Advantage and West Is Best Infographic, a report by Headwaters Economic