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In this age of political activism there lies an unused tidal wave of support for an elected official willing to stand up in defense of American public lands. We need that person, the next Teddy Roosevelt, to rise up.

In Wyoming, in 2016 alone we saw multiple affronts to our public land heritage in the forms of land exchanges, proposed constitutional amendments and an unproductive ideology. In response, sportsmen and sportswomen came in droves to the front lines to oppose the Wyoming State Land Boards proposed land exchange. A public land rally was held in Casper that was attended by 300 or more citizens, sending the message to our politicians to stop the rhetoric of federal land transfer. On the heels of several related bills in the 2015 legislature a proposed Wyoming public lands constitutional amendment attempted to open the door even wider to the transfer discussion. It was opposed by all outdoor enthusiasts, and subsequently killed. Wyoming has spoken: Keep our American public lands in public hands.