NAFSR Social Media Speeches and Talking Points
Elevator Speech / Phone Call Script (NOTE this is known to be a more effective contact with members of congress than a traditional email or hardcopy letter. Each call is required to be logged and the members receive daily reports on the number of calls they are receiving and the topics of concern).
Hi, my name is [Name], and I’m calling to urge [Representative/Senator] to oppose any legislation that would sell, transfer, or privatize federal public lands. National Forests alone support over 223,000 rural jobs and generate more than $14.5 billion in economic activity every year. They provide clean water, outdoor recreation, timber, grazing, and wildfire protection—benefits that belong to all Americans, not just private interests. Selling off these lands would be devastating to local economies and the environment. Please stand up for public lands and ensure they stay in public hands—managed for multiple uses, now and for future generations. Thank you.
Look up your Representative’s contact info here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Look up your Senator’s contact info here:
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Social Media Talking Points (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
General Social Media Post
- Our public lands are the heart of America's heritage and economy. They provide us with clean water, recreational opportunities, and support for industries like grazing, timber, and mining. Let's stand together to protect these invaluable resources for future generations. #PublicLands #NAFSR #Conservation
Why Public Lands Matter
- National Forests contribute over $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy and support 223,000 rural jobs. These lands are not for sale—they're the foundation of our future.
- Public lands provide clean water, air, jobs, and recreation. Selling them off is short-sighted and threatens everything from small-town economies to wildfire resilience.
Recreation = Economic Power
- Over 150 million visits to National Forests every year support outdoor businesses and rural tourism. In 2019 alone, that translated into $13 billion in visitor spending and 153,800 jobs.
- Whether you're hiking, skiing, or camping, your visit to a National Forest supports local restaurants, outfitters, and lodging. These lands drive real economic activity.
Sustainable Industry: Timber, Grazing, and Mining
- Timber sales on National Forests support local mills and jobs—every 1 million board feet harvested in Idaho sustains 23 jobs. That’s real paychecks and family incomes over the long-term.
- Federal lands support multi-generational ranchers through grazing leases while mining operations provide critical minerals and fund local infrastructure through royalties.
Hunting & Fishing Traditions
- Public lands are where we teach our kids to hunt and fish. They preserve our heritage while sustaining wildlife populations through balanced, science-based management.
- National Forests are where we fish, hunt, hike, and gather with our families. They’re where Tribal Nations exercise treaty rights, where we train firefighters, and where future generations will connect with nature. These lands are not for sale.
Restoration & Resilience
- Investing $1 million in forest restoration creates 15–24 local jobs and reduces wildfire risk. Restoration builds both healthy forests and strong communities.
- Programs like the Good Neighbor Authority put local contractors to work restoring streams, planting trees, and protecting watersheds. This cross-governmental collaboration is the solution to active management, NOT privatization!
Clean Water & Air for Millions
- National Forests supply drinking water to 60 million Americans. These forests act as natural filters—healthy forests mean healthy communities.
- Forests are our climate frontline—absorbing carbon, cooling the air, and reducing flood and fire impacts. Keeping them public keeps them protected.
- Public lands provide clean drinking water for millions of Americans, store carbon, and protect biodiversity. They are irreplaceable pillars of environmental health and rural survival. Don’t let short-term politics destroy a legacy built for all.
Calls to Action for FaceBook, InstaGram, Linked In, Reddit
- Congress is considering legislation that would allow the sale or transfer of federal public lands. If passed, these bills would gut rural economies, cut off access, and shatter generations of stewardship. Call your elected officials. Demand they vote NO. Keep public lands in public hands.
- We can’t afford to lose our National Forests or any of our public lands to privatization. If you care about jobs, water, fire protection, and open access—this is the moment to act. Tell Congress: protect our public lands, reject all efforts to sell or transfer them.
- America’s public lands support over hundreds of thousands of jobs, over 223,000 just from the National Forests and Grasslands. Tens of billions of dollars annually are generated on public lands—through recreation, restoration, timber, grazing, and stewardship. National Forests are the beating heart of many rural communities. They belong to all of us. Let’s keep them that way.
- 150 million visits to National Forests each year generate $13 billion in local spending—supporting restaurants, outfitters, lodges, and families. Selling these lands would silence an economic engine that rural communities can’t afford to lose.
Short-Form Posts for Twitter/”X”
- Public lands = clean water, recreation, and economic growth. Let's keep them protected! #PublicLands #NAFSR
- Grazing, timber, mining, recreation—all coexist on our public lands. Support sustainable management! #MultipleUse #Conservation
- Fire suppression and prescribed burns are vital for healthy forests. Protect and fund these efforts! #ForestHealth #NAFSR
- Public lands support search & rescue missions, ensuring safety for all. Let's value and protect them. #PublicSafety #PublicLands
- From hiking trails to wildlife habitats, public lands enrich our lives. Stand up for their protection! #Recreation #Conservation