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If you live in Arizona, especially northern Arizona, you really appreciate all of our public land. How nice is it to drive or bike a few miles and be out in the national forest? If it’s chilly in Flagstaff, drive 30 miles in any direction and you can enjoy a warmer climate on public land -- now that’s sweet.

But not all is well in paradise. Over the years there has been talk, even proposals, to turn our federal public lands over to the state and then private interests. If you want that, move to Texas. As a side note, Arizona state lands are not public lands and you need a permit from the Arizona State Land Department to walk on, camp on or recreate on state lands.

There is a proposal in the state legislature to recognize the importance public lands in Arizona have for all of us.

Trout Unlimited has been collaborating with Representative Tim Dunn from Yuma to pass a Public Lands Appreciation Day this legislative session, HB2271. This will be an Arizona-recognized holiday stating that the first Saturday in April is Public Lands Appreciation Day! It's a day to organize support and remind ourselves of the incredible public lands we have in Arizona and the diversity of outdoor recreation we can all participate in.