The future of Appalachia is up to us

In East Tennessee, public lands have remained protected and accessible because of people coming together for a shared cause. As federal policy grows more unstable, the future of our public lands in Appalachia is up to us. Safe spaces and equal access I'll be honest. It's been hard to write about adventures throughout Appalachia without considering the heightened political economy we're living through in the United States. Because, truly, public lands are political. Every time you hike Roan Mountain, bike at Bays Mountain Park, kayak Watauga Lake, or trail run at Margarette Falls, it's political. These trails and natural spaces exist because of countless volunteers, people who dedicate their time not only to trail-building and maintenance, which is ongoing, but also to advocating for protections: calling, texting, and emailing senators about national forests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, bike trail-accessible areas, wilderness preserves, conservation habitats, and urban parks. The outdoors, our public lands, have always been a safe space for me. And in that, I recognize a privilege – not everyone has access to public lands and green spaces. We are fortunate to live in Appalachia surrounded by ample opportunities to get outside, recreate, breathe in the fresh air, and reap the physical and mental health benefits of being in nature. We must recognize that accessing public lands is a privilege. And while I believe it is a human right, many of our neighbors do not have the same opportunity. Not everyone has equal access to the mountains and green spaces. Now more than ever, we must consider how to show up for our neighbors, care for our lands, strengthen our communities, and protect these spaces for our children – and all future generations. Coming together in community Community safety and public lands stewardship are inseparable. When trails wash out, rivers flood, or wildfire threats rise, neighbors come together and look out for one another. Volunteer fire departments, search-and-rescue crews, volunteers and trail maintenance groups are on the front lines with boots on the ground– protecting people and protecting the lands that make East Tennessee so special and unique. Strength in numbers isn't just a slogan; it's how our communities survive and how public lands survive with us. It is deep rooted within us to be a welcoming, hospitable, nonjudgmental people – no one can take that from us. It's how our mammaws raised us, to help those in need and speak up for those who don't have a voice of privilege. We come from hardships ourselves, and we know what it's like to be raised in resilience. And, together, we pride ourselves in helping our neighbors in need. The future of our forests, rivers, and trails depends on neighbors showing up for each other, supporting local organizations, and taking part in the decisions that shape our shared spaces. Join a community group for a cause Indivisible Tennessee: https://indivisibletn.org/ The Wilderness Society: https://www.wilderness.org/ National Park Conservation Association: https://www.npca.org/ SORBA Tri-Cities: https://www.sorba-tricities.org/ Take action for public lands NATIONAL: Urging senators to protect America's most visited wilderness in Minnesota, The Boundary Waters: https://action.outdooralliance.org/a/boundary-waters-cra?ms=website&utm_source=website STATE: Southern Environmental Law Center taking action to protect our public lands: https://www.selc.org/ LOCAL: A petition to "say no" to uranium processing in Tennessee's Oldest Town: https://www.protectjonesborough.com/ Use the 5calls.org app for scripts to contact your representatives about issues you care about, right from your couch.