Who we are
We harness the credibility, experience, and trusted voices of veterans and military families to protect America’s public lands, continuing a tradition of service by defending the places that belong to all of us.
Jeff Buchanan
Arizona
Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Gregg Bafundo
Washington
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Nick Borrelli
California
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Michael “Chappy” Chappell
Arizona
U.S. Navy Veteran
Patty Collins
Virginia
U.S. Army Veteran
Taylor Galadyk
Florida
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Jaimie Lusk
Oregon
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Brad Noone
Colorado
U.S. Army Veteran
Jonas Rides At The Door
Montana
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Paul Wilson
Colorado
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
DJ Wright
Georgia
U.S. Army Veteran
Get Involved
For generations, veterans have helped protect America’s public lands.
From exploring and mapping the West to serving as park rangers, conservation leaders, and advocates for our national parks, forests, deserts, and coastlines, many of us have continued serving our country long after we took off the uniform. For Native veterans—who serve in the U.S. military at some of the highest rates of any community in America—these lands often carry an even deeper significance, connecting generations through culture, history, and sacred traditions. We know these places are part of our national heritage. They belong to all of us, and they are worth preserving.
Today, that tradition continues. Our public lands do not stay protected on their own. As these places face growing threats, we have a responsibility to show up once again in service to something larger than ourselves. At a time when trust across the board is declining, veterans remain among the most trusted voices in America. That trust carries both credibility and responsibility.
Veterans for Public Lands (VFPL) brings veterans together to put that trust to work—speaking up for the places we love, helping our communities understand what is at stake, and ensuring that America’s public lands remain protected, accessible, and enduring for future generations.
Events
Connect with fellow veterans who share a commitment to service, adventure, and stewardship. Engage in grassroots advocacy, educate your community about current threats to public lands, and help ensure these vital wild spaces remain protected and accessible for generations to come.
Our Heritage
The story of veterans defending public lands did not begin with our organization. It stretches back more than a century.
Before he was president, Theodore Roosevelt served as a cavalry officer, hunted and ranched in the Dakotas, and developed a deep appreciation for the American landscape. As president, he protected roughly 230 million acres of public land—national forests, wildlife refuges, monuments, and parks. He did not see conservation as separate from patriotism. He saw both as forms of national service.
Long before the National Park Service existed, veterans were helping care for America’s most treasured places.
Connect With Us
@ veteransforpubliclands . Nov 11
The story of veterans defending public lands stretches back more than a century. Long before the National Park Service existed, soldiers protected America’s treasured landscapes.
America’s public lands are part of what we swore to defend. They belong to every American - connecting communities across geography, politics, and generations. For many of us, they remain places of purpose, adventure, and healing.
But service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Our responsibility to the places we love continues.
We are Veterans for Public Lands. Join us. #VeteransDay
🎥 @directedbynatelee
@ veteransforpubliclands . Nov 10
Veterans for Public Lands is honored to announce our new leadership program: The Defenders Corps, a national network of veterans who are stepping up to protect the places that shaped us and the freedoms they represent.
The mission is simple: defend the lands that have always been there for us.
As a Defender, you’ll become a trusted voice in your community, helping tell the story of our public lands, engaging fellow veterans, and advocating for policies that ensure these places remain accessible for now and for future generations.
Visit the link in our bio for more information and to apply.
@ veteransforpubliclands . Nov 10
Honor. Courage. Commitment. 251 years of the United States Marine Corps.
[email protected] | P.O. Box 11559, Portland, OR 97211 | (202) 670-3602
