Protecting Public Lands with Symbolic Stock
Activists are using a unique approach to protect public lands. They are drawing inspiration from the New York Stock Exchange. This effort is part of a campaign called Going Public.
United by Nature and Nature Is Nonpartisan created the campaign. These groups aim to bridge political divides by supporting nature. They note that nearly 90% of voters believe parks and wildlife areas are vital for quality of life.
Going Public wants to celebrate Americans' shared pride in public lands. It encourages everyone to help protect these natural spaces.
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From March 27 to May 30, people can claim a free, symbolic "share" of their favorite public lands. This includes national parks, local trails, and protected forests. Each share acts as a vote for a specific location.
These votes appear on a leaderboard, showing which locations have the most support. Supporters also get a symbolic certificate of ownership. A small donation can "protect" a share and boost its standing.
The Going Public market closes on June 1. The locations with the most shares will receive contributions for local restoration. Other funds will support public lands nationwide.
Photo courtesy of United By Nature
The federal government manages about 640 million acres of land in the U.S. This is about 28% to 30% of the nation's total land. Americans' tax dollars fund agencies like the National Park Service that manage these lands. The campaign reminds people they already have a stake in these lands.
Benji Backer, founder of Nature Is Nonpartisan, said people connect with the outdoors for joy. They want to preserve America's beauty for future generations. He noted that nature is something people love deeply. Going Public aims to turn this love into a national movement.
Photo courtesy of Benji Backer/Instagram
Sending a Message to Leaders
Going Public also seeks to change political discussions about public lands. Nature Is Nonpartisan will use the campaign results to create a report. This report will show how many people in each state and congressional district joined.
The campaign website encourages people to "send a message to our leaders." It aims to show that the public is invested in public lands.
To launch the campaign, United By Nature opened a Public Lands Stock Exchange in Times Square. Visitors could claim shares in person. A live ticker tracked participation in real time.
United By Nature shared on social media that the "hottest IPO just hit the market." They reminded people that they already own these lands. The campaign asks people to represent the landscapes that have impacted them.
