Bringing together veterans to defend the public lands we served to protect.

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.