This article is a revision of a paper written for the 64th Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute entitled “Multiple-Use Management in a Landscape of Multiplying Demand: The Rise of Outdoor Recreation and Renewable Energy in Public-Lands Management” by Michael Connor, Michael Hazel, and Kayla Byers that will be published in December 2018.
Excerpt: Outdoor enthusiasts browsing the internet for the latest gear and apparel probably do not expect to stumble across such provocative political statements. But consumers visiting the website of popular outdoor retailer Patagonia in recent months have grown accustomed to finding bold messages in support of public lands intermingled with advertisements for the latest in synthetic-insulation technology. This particular message was a direct response to President Donald Trump’s proclamations reducing the size of two Utah national monuments: Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. That Patagonia was willing to give its political activism equal billing with its shells and base layers is just one of many signs that the outdoor recreation industry—including not only Patagonia, but also many other well-known retailers—is increasing its advocacy and influence regarding the federal government’s management of the 640 million acres of public lands under its control.