SAN FRANCISCO, CA — As public lands experience record-breaking use from hikers, hunters and recreators of all kinds, delivering immense economic value to communities across the country, a new report from Trust for Public Land [TPL] makes the urgent case: America Needs More Public Lands, Not Less. Released today, the report outlines how public lands are not only a cherished national resource, but a powerful driver of economic growth, community health and unity.
“We are living in a golden age of outdoor recreation,” said Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, President and CEO of Trust for Public Land. “Americans love their public lands. People want greater protection of existing lands, and they are eager for more opportunities to explore and connect to new landscapes.”
The report comes amid mass layoffs at land agencies and shifts in federal policy resulting in reduced access to public lands — measures that run counter to both the data and the demonstrated public will. Few issues enjoy such broad, bipartisan support across age groups, income levels, and regions as the protection of our national parks and public lands. Proposals to sell or transfer these lands counter both hard data and public opinion. In addition, new national polling, commissioned by Trust for Public Land and conducted by YouGov, reinforces this fact: of the 4,000 Americans surveyed, 74% oppose the closure of national public lands, and 71% oppose selling public lands to the highest bidder.
“Public lands are our great national unifier,” said Lucas St. Clair, Chair of TPL’s National Board of Directors. “They support our physical and mental health. They power local economies through outdoor recreation. And they remind us that shared spaces can still unite a divided nation.”
Key Findings from the Report Include:
Record Visitation and Strained Infrastructure: National Parks welcomed 331.9 million visitors in 2024, outpacing even the most popular built tourist attractions. That’s more than the top 10 built tourist attractions combined. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported 45 million visits to national wildlife refuges in 2012. Last year, that figure had jumped to 70 million visits (twice as many as JFK airport sees in a year). In 2024, wildlife refuges hosted 42 million birding excursions, 2.6 million hunting expeditions, and 8.6 million fishing visits. Similarly, visitation to Bureau of Land Management properties increased by 46 percent since 2006. But with these record levels of interest in our public lands, across the country, outdoor users encounter crowded trailheads, degraded paths, and overburdened facilities—signs that current lands can’t keep pace with public demand.
Immense Economic Impact for Communities: Outdoor recreation supports a $1.2 trillion economy and sustains five million jobs, powering local businesses and gateway communities across the nation. Last year alone, Americans spent over $1.5 billion on winter sports equipment and $2.1 billion on camping gear. Spending on hunting and fishing gear reached an impressive $8.4 billion, with an additional $1.6 billion spent on water-sports equipment. Research from Trust for Public Land shows that investments in conservation deliver strong economic returns. In Vermont, every dollar invested in conservation generates $11 in economic benefit, while in Maine the return is as high as $15 for every dollar spent.
Widespread National Public Support: TPL’s national polling survey and other national polling show nearly three out of every four Americans oppose the closure of public lands, National Parks and Monuments. In recent years, landmark bipartisan legislation—the Great American Outdoors Act and the EXPLORE Act—have reinforced the shared value of public lands. These initiatives ensured funding for conservation and improved access for underserved communities. Yet current proposals to reduce federal land ownership risk undoing this progress.
The report concludes that now, more than ever, we need more public land, not less. From new national forests to expanded wildlife refuges, the findings highlight overwhelming support for protecting nature and ensuring access for all. Read Trust for Public Land’s full report on the economic impact and broad, bipartisan support for public lands, HERE.
About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,504 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $110 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.7 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.