By Lyn Tally, Atlantic Packaging & A New Earth Project
This May, I traveled to Washington, DC for the fourth consecutive year to participate in The Conservation Alliance's annual fly-in. Alongside fellow member brands from across the outdoor industry, we spent several days meeting with lawmakers to discuss public lands, national monuments, and conservation policies that help shape the future of these places.
The conversations themselves were valuable. But what stayed with me most wasn't any particular meeting. It was the people.
Each year, I'm reminded of how many different individuals and organizations are connected by a shared love for the outdoors. Around the table were athletes, marketers, product developers, conservation advocates, customer service leaders, executives, educators, and storytellers. Some spend their days designing products. Others support customers, build communities, advocate for policy, or help businesses operate more sustainably. We all arrived through different doors. Yet we gathered around the same table because we care about protecting the outdoors.
Each conversation was shaped by a different lens. An athlete might speak about firsthand experiences in the places they train and explore. A conservation advocate might bring years of policy expertise. A brand leader might understand how outdoor recreation supports local communities and businesses. A sustainability professional might think about long-term environmental impacts. None of us carried the full picture alone. But together, the conversation became richer, more informed, and more representative of the many communities connected to these places.
In a world that often feels increasingly divided, there's something powerful about witnessing people from different companies, backgrounds, and areas of expertise come together around a common purpose.
The outdoor industry is more than the products it creates or the businesses that make up the industry. It's a network of people whose lives and work have been shaped by the adventures on our rivers, forests, coastlines, deserts, mountains, and public lands. These places inspire products, fuel adventures, support local economies, create memories, and provide opportunities for connection. They've given so much to all of us. And that's what makes gatherings like The Conservation Alliance fly-in so meaningful.
For a few days, the focus shifts beyond individual organizations and priorities. The conversations become less about what any one company can accomplish and more about what becomes possible when people work together on behalf of something larger than ourselves.
The future of our public lands won't be shaped by a single brand, nonprofit, policymaker, or advocate. It will be shaped by people willing to participate. People willing to listen, learn, collaborate, and lend their voice when it matters. That's what stewardship looks like. Not just enjoying these places. Not just appreciating them. Showing up for them.
Learn more about our involvement with The Conservation Alliance here.