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.
Gregg Bafundo
Marine Corps Veteran
Washington
Nick Borrelli
Marine Corps Veteran
California
Michael “Chappy” Chappell
Navy Veteran
Arizona
Patty Collins
Army Veteran
Virginia
Taylor Galadyk
Marine Corps Veteran
Florida
Brad Noone
Army Veteran
Colorado
Paul Wilson
Marine Corps Veteran
Colorado
DJ Wright
Army Veteran
Georgia
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.
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 . Oct 2
Nobody wants this. Public lands belong to ALL Americans.
@ veteransforpubliclands . Sep 30
8 national parks, 2 national monuments, 120 state parks, 16 national wildlife refuges, 2 national forests, and more: Alaska contains over 322 million acres of pristine public lands enjoyed by veterans and military families, with the state having the highest percentage of veterans per capita in the U.S.
@ veteransforpubliclands . Sep 29
ONE WEEK LEFT: the public comment deadline for the Roadless Rule ends on October 6. The administration is proceeding with its plans to repeal protections for 45 million acres of national forests, and we need you to act now.
The Roadless Rule protects some of our last wild forests, providing current and future generations the opportunity to experience the outdoors through recreation, community, and connection, while safeguarding wildlife habitat and clean drinking water. These forests belong to all of us, and must stay protected.
Join Veterans for Public Lands and tell the U.S. Forest Service that our public lands are not for sale. Make your voice heard and leave a public comment today.
