Welcome to the first edition of our weekly public lands update, where we break down the most important news and policy changes affecting public lands.

Topics Covered This Week:

• Public Land Sales Back on the Table? – Some Republican lawmakers are considering selling off public lands to fund tax cuts and housing near national parks.

• DOI Moves on Executive Order: "Make DC Safe and Beautiful" – Trump’s order includes graffiti removal but raises concerns about criminalizing homelessness.

• BLM’s Proposed Emergency Coal Lease – 1,350 acres in North Dakota under review, with public comments open through May 2.

• Montana Rejects Utah’s Public Land Lawsuit – A win for public lands as Montana lawmakers vote against supporting state control over federal lands.

• New Congressional Bill & Conservation Funding – Potential changes to the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 could affect funding for youth and conservation corps projects.

Links & Resources:

• The Wilderness Society: Public lands sale discussion

• Department of the Interior: Executive order on D.C. parks

• BLM Public Comment: Emergency coal lease proposal

• Montana Free Press: Montana lawmakers reject Utah’s land lawsuit

• Congress.gov: Proposed bill affecting conservation projects

Have tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9)

Since the time of this interview, Youer, and other small businesses like them, have gone under major changes due to rising costs
Some of these changes for Youer include:
1. They stopped making things in Missoula due to increased costs and
2. 40%+ tariff on fabric has climbed to 60%

When we talk about sustainability in the outdoor industry, conversations often revolve around materials, emissions, or packaging—but what about where and how our gear is made?

In episode 175 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we’re learning about the importance of domestic manufacturing and why Made in the USA still matters—especially when it comes to building a more ethical, transparent, and sustainable apparel industry.

I’m joined by the founder of Youer, a colorful and creative outdoor apparel brand that proudly manufactures 100% of its products in the U.S.—right out of their own factory in Missoula, Montana.

We’ll explore how Youer got started, what it really takes to keep production local, and why slow fashion and small-batch design are so powerful in pushing back against fast fashion culture—even in the outdoor world. 

Founded by Mallory Ottariano, Youer is the result of a decade-long journey that started with sewing colorful, one-of-a-kind clothes in her parents’ basement and selling them on Etsy. 

What began as a creative outlet quickly turned into a full-time business fueled by road trips, pop-up events, and a deep love of bold design and independent style. After years of challenges working with external factories, Mallory made a bold move to open her own manufacturing space—The Youniverse—in Missoula, Montana, thanks to support from her community. 

Today, Youer is a thriving brand known for its vibrant prints, ethical values, and commitment to making 100% of its products in the USA, all while reimagining what sustainable and people-centered fashion can look like.

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Youer

Website: https://www.shopyouer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopyouer/

If you remember, in one of our earliest episodes, episode 23, I spoke with Austin Whitman, to unpack the meaning behind carbon-neutral certifications and what they really mean for consumers, companies, and the planet.

Since then, a lot has changed, including the name of the Climate Neutral certification. 

Climate Neutral has officially rebranded as Change Climate, and in today’s episode, I’m excited to welcome Austin back to talk about what that shift represents and what’s next for their mission.

Austin Whitman is co-founder and CEO of The Change Climate Project, a nonprofit with a mission to eliminate carbon emissions by accelerating corporate investments in climate solutions. The organization manages The Climate Label certification, a mark of climate leadership for consumer brands. Austin has spent more than two decades advocating and building solutions for the climate transition across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

In episode 174 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, you’ll get an inside look into how the nonprofit is evolving, what their vision looks like for the next five years, and how the outdoor industry has responded to growing calls for sustainability and climate action. 

Whether you’re a conscious consumer, a sustainability-minded brand, or just curious about what’s happening behind the scenes in outdoor gear manufacturing, this episode is full of insights on how we can better align our choices with climate action.

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Change Climate Project

Website: https://www.changeclimate.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechangeclimateproject/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/changeclimate/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChangeClimateProject/

In this episode, we discuss the ongoing threats to our public lands and the attacks on US environmental protections under the current administration.

From the push for fossil fuel extraction to rollbacks of key policies like the Antiquities Act and NEPA, the Trump administration's agenda is having devastating impacts on public lands and the environment.

We hear from:

Jocelyn Torres, Chief Conservation Officer for the Conservation Lands Foundation

Louis Geltman, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations at Outdoor Alliance

Tania Lown-Hecht, the Vice President of Communications and Strategy at Outdoor Alliance

Do you have questions or potential guests for future episodes covering public lands policy? Submit any information to our Google Form: https://forms.gle/VQW5ZoVcr6nDEd9t8

or reach out via email on our website (theoutdoorminimalist.com)

Key Topics:

• The ongoing dismantling of protections for public lands, including national monuments and the Antiquities Act.
• The shift towards corporate-friendly policies under the Trump administration and the rise of fossil fuel extraction on public lands.
• The environmental consequences of rapid resource extraction and the increasing threat to ecosystems, wildlife, and local communities.
• The impact of staffing cuts within federal land management agencies, weakening both recreational management and wildfire response.
• How public advocacy is making a difference: Over 100,000 letters sent to Congress and restored positions within land management agencies.
• What you can do to make your voice heard and protect public lands through organizations like Outdoor Alliance and the Conservation Lands Foundation.

Resources:

• Outdoor Alliance: Take Action
• Conservation Lands Foundation
• Sign up for updates and more at The Outdoor Minimalist Newsletter

Episode Sources:

PBS: https://youtu.be/-sDtdCzMIKA?si=VSw4NdskP7Lw1Wl1

PBS: https://youtu.be/vYtDOq-EhYU?si=_-JMWFnbLkZsrSLU

https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/2/25/press-release-threats-to-rural-recreation-economies-from-poorly-managed-oil-and-gas-developmentnbsp 

https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/3/6/public-lands-staffing-crisis-worsens-as-more-layoffs-threatened 

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/03/republican-plan-privatize-sell-federal-public-lands-west/ 

https://www.wilderness.org/articles/press-release/map-illustrate-public-lands-reach-trump-energy-dominance 

https://www.nrdc.org/media/executive-orders-direct-massive-expansion-logging-public-lands 

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/13/nx-s1-5325959/federal-employees-court-firing 

https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/3/13/press-release-outdoor-alliance-rallies-120-businesses-brands-organizations-to-correct-public-land-staffing-reductions 

https://www.conservationlands.org/new_legislation_seeks_to_gut_public_process_on_federal_public_land_management_in_colorado_montana_oregon_and_wyoming

Sustainability in the outdoor industry has come a long way, but the challenges of waste, microplastic pollution, and textile biodegradability remain an issue many brands struggle to address. 

That’s where 37.5 Technology comes in. Known for creating high-performance fabrics that enhance comfort and moisture management, 37.5 has also been pushing the boundaries of sustainable textile innovation. One of their latest advancements, the Enhanced Biodegradation Additive (+EB) technology, is designed to accelerate the breakdown of synthetic fibers—helping to combat plastic waste and reduce environmental impact.

In episode 172 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I sat down with Blair Kanis from 37.5 Technology to discuss their journey in sustainability, the development of their biodegradation technology, and the challenges of integrating this innovation into the broader textile industry. 

Blair Kanis is the president and general counsel at Cocona Labs, the creator of 37.5® Technology, and a global leader in sustainable thermoregulation material science. She joined Cocona Labs in 2020 as General Counsel and Director of Sustainability after a decade as an attorney at Kutak Rock LLP, specializing in intellectual property and Corporate Social Responsibility compliance. Active in the sustainability field since 2012, Blair has also taught business and human rights at the University of Denver Law School.

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Cocona Labs

Website: https://www.thirtysevenfive.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirtysevenfive

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cocona-inc./

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYnXO2QJNaQ-FwYGuNHZ8Uw

If you’re into outdoor adventure, photography, or just well-designed gear, chances are you’ve heard of Peak Design. 

In episode 171 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, Meg is joined by Peter Dering, CEO and founder of Peak Design, to talk about something that sets them apart: employee ownership. 

They discuss what that actually means in practice, how it influences everything from product development to sustainability initiatives, and why Peak Design believes this model is the future of ethical business.

Peter Dering is the founder and CEO of Peak Design, a San Francisco-based company he started in 2010 making photography, outdoor, and lifestyle carry gear.

Since launching Peak Design, Dering has overseen 13 Kickstarter campaigns, raising $40M and proving the validity of crowdfunding as a method to maintain financial and operational independence from outside investors.

Growing acutely aware of his company’s increasing carbon footprint, Dering co-founded Climate Neutral (now the Change Climate Project): an independent non-profit organization that enlists private businesses to achieve net-zero carbon emissions through a simplified, four-step process.

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Peak Design

Website: https://www.peakdesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peakdesign

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peakdesignltd

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/peakdesignvideo

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peakdesign

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/peakdesign/

In the outdoor and environmental space, conservation is at the heart of so many discussions, but how those stories are told can make a difference. Whether it’s connecting policy to personal experiences or framing climate change through the lens of recreation, good storytelling has the power to inspire action.

Joining me today is journalist and poet Sage Marshall. Sage has built a career covering outdoor recreation and conservation, with a focus on hunting and fishing media. In this episode, we’ll explore what makes a conservation story compelling, how to find and develop relatable figures, and the role that place and personal experience play in shaping narratives. Plus, we’ll discuss how storytelling in outdoor media is evolving and what the future might hold for conservation journalism.

Sage Marshall is a poet, essayist, and outdoors journalist from southwest Colorado. He has lived across the U.S. and currently resides in Western Montana, where he explores the rivers and mountains around Missoula with his partner Bela and their adopted bird dog Gunney. 

He’s a student of many outdoor pursuits, from skiing and backpacking to fly fishing and duck hunting. Marshall is a contributing writer and former editor of Field & Stream. His creative work has been featured in publications such as The Missouri Review, Sport Literate, swamp pink, and elsewhere. Echolocation (Middle Creek Publishing), which weaves the landscapes and ecologies of the American West against themes of violence, adolescence, and beauty, is his debut poetry collection.

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Sage Marshall

Website: https://www.sagemarshall.com/

Book: https://www.sagemarshall.com/echolocation

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagemarshall/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sagemwrites/

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for outdoor gear skyrocketed, leading brands to ramp up production. But as the dust settled, it became clear that the industry had overestimated long-term consumer demand. 

Now, we’re left with an oversaturated market, constant sales cycles, and a looming question: 

What do we do with all this extra gear?

To help unpack this issue, I’m joined by Megan Davin, the founder of Adventurous Threads. 

We’ll explore what led to this oversupply, how it’s affecting retailers and consumers, and what steps companies and individuals can take to shift the industry toward a more sustainable future.

Megan Davin is a passionate outdoor enthusiast with over 18 years in the outdoor industry. Based in Vermont, Megan has dedicated her career to blending the worlds of customer service, sales, and marketing to help brands tell meaningful stories that drive connection and sales. 

Megan is the Founder and Owner of Adventurous Threads, a Vermont-based mobile and online outdoor consignment business that provides affordable, high-quality gear to outdoor lovers. By keeping quality equipment in circulation, Adventurous Threads aims to make outdoor adventures accessible while reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices. 

Together, Megan and Adventurous Threads are dedicated to inspiring responsible, sustainable outdoor practices and connecting people to the outdoors in a way that fosters appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of nature.

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Adventurous Threads

Website: https://adventurousthreads.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventurous_threads

In this bonus episode, I break down the controversy surrounding REI’s support for Doug Burgum as the new Secretary of the Interior under the Trump administration.

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s endorsement of Burgum has sparked backlash, with calls for a boycott of REI.

But what’s really happening?

We explore Burgum’s background as a pro-fossil fuel businessman, his legal battles against the Department of the Interior, and his priorities for public lands.

We also analyze REI’s role in the conversation, the industry’s response, and what this means for conservation efforts moving forward.

Finally, we discuss REI’s official statement on the issue and share actionable ways to support public lands.

Episode Resources:

Read the ORR letter: https://recreationroundtable.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ORR-Burgum-Nomination-Letter-of-Support-Final.pdf

REI's Recent Statement: https://www.rei.com/newsroom/article/we-will-never-stop-defending-our-public-lands

Voice Your Opposition to Burgum's Actions through the REI Cooperative Action Network: https://www.rei.com/action/network/campaign/protect-public-lands

Burgum's First Day Orders: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-doug-burgum-signs-first-round-secretarys-orders-unleash-american-energy

Related Episodes

• Episode 163. Fighting for Outdoor Policy and Protection in 2025 with Adam Cramer
• Episode 164. Is an Outdoor Recreation Economy How We Stop Off-Shore Drilling? with Chad Nelsen

Sources

ProPublica: https://www.propublica.org/article/doug-burgum-north-dakota-interior-department-trump

Alaska Wild: https://alaskawild.org/blog/doug-burgum-the-billionaire-governor-turned-trumps-doi-secretary/

Inside Climate News: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/05022025/new-interior-secretary-weakens-public-land-protections-fossil-fuels/

When it comes to skincare, we all want products that are safe, effective, and good for the planet. 

But the reality is that many skincare brands, even those marketed as "natural" or "eco-friendly," hide some dirty secrets. From greenwashing tactics to hidden microplastics and PFAS, the industry is full of misleading claims that can make it hard for consumers to know what they’re really putting on their skin.

In episode 168, I sit down withMercedes Pepper from Nation Botanics to uncover the truth behind skincare marketing and explore how different ingredients shape effective skincare formulations. We’ll talk about how to spot greenwashing, why microplastics and PFAS are a growing concern, and what choosing sustainable, plant-based ingredients really means.

Mercedes helps people who get outdoors - particularly surfers, skiers, and snowboarders - get healthy skin without the fuss. She is an international development and social impact director turned skincare founder and formulator of Nation Botanics. The brand’s flagship product, Surf+Slope, provides easy, high-performance skincare designed to combat the elements while supporting North American small businesses, farmers, and our environment.

I haven’t had much of a skincare routine until the last two years. During that time, first of all, I struggled to find anything I could use because I am allergic to aloe, but I also wanted to avoid products that not only harmed the planet but likely contained toxins. When I learned about Nation Botanics, I was excited to try their products because of the brand's mission and clean ingredients. 

That said, I’ve been using their Surf+Slope moisturizer for the last few weeks, and I've appreciated it, especially after a day of cross-country skiing with my dogs when my face is dry and my cheeks might be a little wind-burned. 

If you listen to this episode and want to check out Nation Bonanic’s Surf+Slope, go to nationbotanics.com and use the code minimalist to get 15% off.

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Nation Botanics

Website:https://nationbotanics.com/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/nation-botanics/about/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nationbotanics/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/nationbotanics