Last week, Surfrider had the honor of joining Outdoor Alliance in Washington, D.C., to advocate for our nation’s public lands and waters. Alongside an impressive cohort of climbers, mountain bikers, surfers, free divers, paddlers, whitewater rafters, hikers, and runners, we showed up strong to represent the outdoor recreation community.
Together, we encouraged Congress to push back against harmful policies that aim to sell off public lands, privatize critical programs, defund agencies, expand offshore oil drilling, and open up the few existing pristine wilderness areas to roads and development. These policies threaten the future of our nation’s incredible network of outdoor areas and thriving outdoor recreation economies.
Representing the Surfrider Foundation, Katie Day, Surfrider’s Senior Manager of Science and Policy, and Pete Steelquist, Surfrider’s Washington State Policy Manager, met directly with 22 Congressional offices and committees —even during the federal government shutdown!
Speaking with both Republican and Democrat officials, one thread became very clear: our nation is severely divided, and the lack of communication across the aisle is alarming. Many representatives and their staff are refusing to talk to their counterparts in the other party. This lack of communication is extremely concerning and counterproductive.
The good news is there’s a powerful bridge that connects us. Our shared love and appreciation for outdoor recreation and the regional economies it supports provide a sincere opportunity for collaboration and agreement across our federal government’s severe political divide. This became evident meeting after meeting, where staff and representatives shared their favorite places to get outside and play in their district. Surf breaks, hiking trails, National Parks, fishing grounds, paddle routes — these are the things we all love, regardless of political party.
While we left our nation’s capital feeling very concerned, we also left feeling hopeful about bipartisan opportunities to come together. Even though our representatives aren’t talking to each other, they are talking to us, their constituents. And you don’t have to go to Washington to have these conversations. You can reach out to your representatives in the House and Senate today to request a virtual constituent meeting, or call to share your concerns about the threat that new offshore oil drilling or the sale of our public lands would have on you and your community.
P.S. It’s working! Bipartisan public outcry helped block the proposed public land sell-off in the reconciliation bill, and recent reporting indicates that extensive pushback from Republican lawmakers in the Southeast (due to an outcry from their constituents) is helping to discourage the Trump administration from proposing new offshore oil drilling in the Atlantic. While this is important progress, the threat isn’t gone. It’s up to us to keep this momentum going. The future of our nation’s forests, rivers, and coasts is relying on it.
Visit our Drilling is Killing homepage to learn more about offshore drilling and take action to protect our nation's waters today!