“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” – Native American Proverb

BY ERIC LADD

Lately, I’ve found myself in what author David Brooks calls the “second mountain” of life—a place where the pursuit of success gives way to a deeper commitment to purpose. For me, that purpose has become conservation. My entrepreneurial spirit has shifted toward something larger: helping find more effective, efficient ways to protect our natural heritage. I’ve joined nonprofit boards, helped organize fundraisers and even ventured to Washington, D.C., to support policy efforts. That journey led me to a seat at the Montana table inside the hallowed halls of the Washington National Cathedral at the annual Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership gala.

Surrounded by soaring stone architecture, conservation leaders from across the country were gathered to celebrate progress, honor leadership and reignite purpose. The table where I sat reflected Montana’s rising influence in the national movement—Sen. Tim Sheehy, Congressman Ryan Zinke, their spouses, prominent business leaders, the soon-to-be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Katharine MacGregor, and conservation leaders from Property and Environment Research Center and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. That evening, Rep. Zinke received one of the TRCP’s highest honors.

A clear theme echoed throughout the vaulted space: Bipartisan leadership is not only possible—it is essential. And on that night, Montana was in the spotlight.

In today’s highly polarized political climate, the question remains: Can conservation still serve as common ground? While Democrats have traditionally been viewed as leaders in conservation efforts, the current political landscape requires a closer look at Republican leadership in this area, particularly as they hold significant legislative control at state and federal levels. Reflecting on the GOP’s historical and modern commitment to conservation is more important than ever. With the environment often caught in ideological crossfire, there is growing urgency to reclaim conservation as a unifying cause.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country.” His words are as relevant now as they were more than a century ago. The challenge before us is clear—will leaders from both parties come together to protect America’s most treasured resources for the benefit of all?

President Roosevelt speaking of Yellowstone Park, in Gardiner, Montana, during his 1903 Western tour. EVERETT COLLECTION INC VIA ALAMY STOCK
Rep. Zinke at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership gala at the Washington National Cathedral. PHOTO BY JON FLEMMING

“There are two types of leaders: those who want to make a point, and those who want to make a difference. The ones that really want to get an outcome and are willing to work with both sides… are the ones who will truly get a conservation win.” – Sen. Steve Daines

Conservation has long been a foundational pillar of the Republican party’s legacy, dating back to the 19th century when leaders recognized the intrinsic value of America’s natural landscapes. One of the most celebrated figures in Republican conservation history, Roosevelt is often referred to as the “Conservation President.” His legacy to protect America’s wilderness includes establishing five national parks, 18 national monuments and more than 150 national forests, conserving more than 230 million acres of public land. His advocacy laid the groundwork for future environmental policies that would shape the nation’s preservation efforts for generations to come.

Half a century later, President Richard Nixon played a crucial role by signing the National Environmental Policy Act in 1969, creating the Environmental Protection Agency, and strengthening laws like the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush further advanced environmental policy by amending the Clean Air Act to combat acid rain and ozone depletion, promoting a market-driven approach that balanced ecological responsibility with economic growth.

The perception of conservation as a partisan issue stems from decades of political and cultural shifts. Although the Republican Party played a foundational role in early conservation efforts, today’s political landscape reflects a more pronounced ideological divide. Recent environmental scorecards from advocacy groups reveal a significant disparity in how members of each party vote on conservation-related legislation, underscoring a growing gap in environmental priorities. However, some of this discrepancy stems from a lack of understanding about where many Republican leaders truly stand on conservation. Issues like energy development and national security often dominate the headlines and policy agendas, overshadowing more nuanced or supportive positions on environmental stewardship within the party.

Still, some Republicans continue to champion conservation legislation, often by aligning it with values like national security, economic resilience and property rights. The path forward for conservation depends on finding shared priorities and building bipartisan coalitions.

This is both the challenge and the opportunity for conservation groups: Can they find ways to craft bipartisan bills and encourage more Republican leaders to step confidently into the conservation arena?

Representatives from the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, the Property and Environment Research Center, Wild Montana, Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Center for Large Landscape Conservation, American Rivers, Gallatin River Task Force and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership met with Rep. Ryan Zinke on April 24.

The Scale of America’s Conservation Nonprofit Sector

The nonprofit conservation sector is one of the most powerful and well- funded forces working to protect America’s environment. According to IBISWorld, the combined market size of conservation and human rights organizations in the United States is projected to reach approximately $53.8 billion in 2025. Within this broader field are more than 2,300 land conservation groups employing nearly 12,000 individuals. These organizations collectively generate over $4 billion in annual revenue and manage more than $21 billion in assets.

Despite these impressive numbers, environmental nonprofits receive less than 2 percent of all charitable donations in the U.S.—with approximately $8 billion directed to conservation causes in 2020. This relatively low figure is partly due to the perception that conservation is a government responsibility, as well as the more immediate emotional pull of causes like health care, education and disaster relief. Still, some leading organizations have built substantial financial capacity. The Nature Conservancy, for example, allocated $249 million toward conservation and policy programs in a recent fiscal year, while Conservation International reported $247.4 million in expenditures.

These figures underscore the immense scale and influence of the U.S. conservation nonprofit sector—and the critical role it plays in preserving the country’s natural heritage in partnership with government, business and local communities.

Sen. Daines and wife Cindy on one of many hikes in Southwest Montana’s landscapes. PHOTO COURTESY OF SEN. DAINES
Sen. Sheehy and his daughter enjoying time in the Crazy Mountains in Southwest Montana. PHOTO COURTESY OF SEN. SHEEHY

Voices in Conservation

In 2020, Montana’s Sen. Steve Daines co-sponsored the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act, providing permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and addressing maintenance backlogs in national parks. Daines called it “the greatest conservation win in 50 years,” adding, “It was bipartisan… we got it signed by President Trump.” He has also introduced the America the Beautiful Act, furthering GAOA’s programs.

“Our national parks are crumbling because we’ve not maintained them … not just the bridges, but wastewater systems and employee housing,” Daines said.

In 2023, Daines introduced the Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act, releasing more than 100,000 acres from wilderness study designation— aimed at improving land management and public access. He also proposed legislation preventing federal agencies from banning lead-based tackle and ammunition without scientific evidence.

Congressman Zinke is likewise engaged in public land stewardship. He recently convened a roundtable in Bozeman with leaders from eight conservation groups to discuss federal funding, access and protection strategies.

“Public lands must remain public, and the federal government has a responsibility to manage and ensure access to those lands,” Rep. Zinke said. “If there’s one thing I learned as a Navy SEAL, it’s that you’ve got to go to the front line. Your organizations are on the front line.”

At the roundtable’s conclusion, Zinke and his staff expressed optimism that at least three conservation- oriented bills could emerge from the discussions—including one focused on Wild and Scenic Rivers protections in Southwest Montana.

Montana Representatives Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing recently have joined forces with Democrats Gabe Vasquez and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez to form a bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, uniting lawmakers across party lines to protect and expand access to America’s public lands. Their collaboration underscores a shared commitment to conservation and sustainable land management, reflecting Montana’s and the nation’s deep-rooted values in public land stewardship.

As conservation efforts continue to evolve, both policymakers and environmental organizations are advocating for greater support. Leaders from key conservation groups have highlighted their priorities and the ways in which the current administration can assist in achieving meaningful environmental progress.

Blake Henning of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation explained that the organization’s continued influence stems from decades of science-based, nonpartisan work.

“To stay effective in a changing political environment, RMEF concentrates on its highest priorities and maintains trusted relationships with key agency leaders,” Henning said. “Being a steady voice— not the loudest—has made us a group that gets called on when real work needs to happen.”

The Gallatin River is one local waterway that would be protected under the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

“These lands belong to everyone. Public lands are not a luxury—they’re a legacy. They connect us to the outdoors, to each other, and to what it means to be an American. Once they’re gone, we don’t get them back.” – Scott Christensen, Greater Yellowstone Coalition

RMEF’s approach has enabled it to remain relevant across changing political administrations. Henning pointed to the Fix Our Forests Act as a recent example of how bipartisan support can be galvanized through consistent, apolitical messaging.

Scott Christensen, executive director of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, also weighed in on current conservation priorities. GYC remains focused on conserving the lands, waters and wildlife of the 22-million-acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem—more than half of which is comprised of public lands, including leading a 15-year campaign to protect portions of the Madison, Gallatin and Yellowstone rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

“These lands belong to everyone. Public lands are not a luxury—they’re a legacy,” Christensen stated. “They connect us to the outdoors, to each other, and to what it means to be an American. Once they’re gone, we don’t get them back.”

GYC has demonstrated resilience over four decades by adapting through political changes without compromising its mission. Christensen emphasized that their approach is grounded in finding common values and developing innovative solutions.

“We pull up a seat to any table that helps move our mission forward in smart, strategic ways,” he said. “In a time of divisiveness, I am grateful to work on behalf of a place that is beloved by people of all political stripes.”

Christensen shared examples of successful bipartisan efforts that have protected key landscapes. The Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act, passed in 2019 with broad community and political support, permanently prohibited gold mining on more than 30,000 acres of public land outside Yellowstone’s northern entrance. Similarly, the East Rosebud Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, signed into law in 2018, safeguarded more than 20 miles of East Rosebud Creek, thanks to bipartisan collaboration among Montana’s congressional delegation. More recently, GYC has championed efforts to improve wildlife crossings on major highways like U.S. highways 89 and 191, working with diverse partners to protect Greater Yellowstone’s iconic wildlife migrations.

Montana Sen. Sheehy brings a unique perspective to the conservation dialogue, shaped by his experiences as a Navy SEAL and aerial firefighter. For Sheehy, protecting America’s public lands is deeply personal—a mission rooted in preserving the country’s natural heritage for future generations.

“In a thousand years, someone will walk this land who will never know our names, but they will benefit from how we cared for it today,” he said. His belief that “God isn’t making any more land” reinforces his call for responsible stewardship.

Sheehy has made wildfire mitigation a top priority in the Senate. He is backing more than 10 bipartisan bills aimed at improving fire response and forest management, including legislation to create a National Wildland Firefighting Service and establish a 30-minute national wildfire response standard.

“We don’t have to agree on everything,” Sheehy said. “But we can still work together to protect what matters most—our shared heritage and our children’s future.”

One of Sheehy’s favorite traditions is an annual father-daughter hike through Montana’s wilderness teaching outdoor survival and navigation skills. During his senate campaign, a hike in the Crazy Mountains with his wife, daughter and dog reminded him of the deep emotional connection people have to wild places—and why it’s worth fighting to preserve them.

Repositioning Conservation for the Current Political Climate

To succeed today, conservation must be framed as a national—not partisan— priority. Stewarding these resources is a patriotic obligation to future generations. Leaders who align conservation with shared values—security, prosperity and legacy—can build bipartisan support.

In today’s divided political climate, success will rely on pragmatic coalitions across government, industry and nonprofits. Conservation’s future depends on its power to unite the country around common goals.

“There are two types of leaders: those who want to make a point, and those who want to make a difference,” Sen. Daines said, offering advice for conservation groups seeking success in the current political climate. “The ones that really want to get an outcome and are willing to work with both sides… are the ones who will truly get a conservation win.

“Politics is about addition, not subtraction. It’s about getting more people on board, not fewer,” Daines said.

The country’s history of conservation is rooted in visionary—and republican—policies of leaders like President Theodore Roosevelt—a clear demonstration that protecting America’s natural resources is not a partisan issue but a national priority. By continuing to embrace pragmatic, market-driven and economically beneficial conservation efforts, the United States can build on this legacy and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Montana, with its newly elected, fully Republican congressional delegation, stands poised to be a national model. The state’s leaders have a unique opportunity to emerge as thoughtful voices in conservation—bridging political divides, crafting innovative solutions and advancing bipartisan legislation that protects public lands, water and wildlife while supporting economic vitality.

If real progress is to be made, it will require a renewed commitment from policymakers to reach across the aisle and prioritize conservation as a shared national value. Similarly, conservation nonprofits must evolve, adapting their approaches to funding, collaboration and advocacy to reflect today’s political and economic realities, learning to speak the language of the current administration while remaining true to their missions. That means emphasizing outcomes over ideology and staying focused on common ground rather than division.

By working together, government leaders and nonprofits alike can turn good intentions into lasting impact, and make America a global leader in conservation once again.

Artist Thomas Moran painted The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in 1872, and is credited with increasing the American public’s interest in conservation efforts in the West. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM

The Creation and Economic Impact of Yellowstone National Park

Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park became the first national park in the United States—and the world. The idea of preserving this landscape arose after early expeditions revealed its stunning geysers, waterfalls and wildlife. Explorer Ferdinand Hayden, painter Thomas Moran and photographer William Henry Jackson played pivotal roles in persuading Congress to act. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act, setting aside more than 2.2 million acres of wilderness for the enjoyment of future generations, sparking a worldwide movement, and establishing a new standard for conservation. President Theodore Roosevelt, visiting in 1903, famously remarked at the Roosevelt Arch: “The Yellowstone Park is something absolutely unique in the world … This park was created, and is now administered, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”

Today, Yellowstone remains not only a symbol of America’s conservation legacy but also an economic powerhouse. More than 4 million visitors travel to Yellowstone each year, contributing over $500 million to surrounding communities. National parks nationwide now contribute more than $40 billion annually to the U.S. economy, supporting upwards of 325,000 jobs. These parks prove that conservation protects not only landscapes but also livelihoods, ensuring America’s natural heritage endures.

Eric Ladd is the publisher of Mountain Outlaw, and committed to exploring the intersection of conservation, policy and outdoor recreation. He enjoys exploring Montana’s public lands with his family and passing on the stewardship of this landscape to his young son.