How do we keep advocacy joyful when the work feels exhausting?

In this episode, Bill and Anders sit down with Chris Hill, CEO of the Conservation Lands Foundation, to talk about what it takes to build and sustain advocacy for America’s public lands. Chris shares her personal journey from growing up in humid Washington, DC, where she avoided the outdoors, to discovering climbing at summer camp, then later finding her way to Alaska where she fell in love with fly fishing. Along the way, she reflects on how community shaped her path, from teachers who encouraged her to grassroots groups that welcomed her into conservation work.

The conversation dives deep into the National Conservation Lands system, the network of monuments, wilderness areas, rivers, and trails managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Chris explains why these places matter, how they connect communities, and why her organization focuses on powering local advocacy to protect them. She and the hosts talk about iconic landscapes like Bears Ears and the King Range, and they explore how the BLM is evolving from its reputation as the “Bureau of Livestock and Mining” toward a future where conservation has a stronger voice. Chris also opens up about what it takes to sustain joy and motivation in the face of constant challenges, from burnout after the pandemic to political fights over land sell-offs.

Throughout, a few big questions rise to the surface. How do we keep advocacy joyful when the work feels exhausting? What role does community power play in protecting the lands between our national parks? How do we make sure public lands reflect and welcome all Americans? And maybe most importantly, how do we remind ourselves to get outside, put our feet on the ground, and enjoy the very places we are fighting to protect?

Today, we cover:

• Roots in the Outdoors – Chris shares how a reluctant camper from humid DC became hooked on climbing, conservation ethics, and eventually found her way to Alaska and fly fishing.
• What Are National Conservation Lands – a look at the system of BLM-managed monuments, rivers, trails, and wilderness, and why it matters for protecting unique places between the national parks.
• The Role of the Conservation Lands Foundation – how the organization mobilizes local advocates and community groups to safeguard and expand public lands across the West.
• Iconic Landscapes and Hidden Gems – from Bears Ears and the King Range to Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, examples of the wide range of places in the National Conservation Lands system.
• Challenges Facing the BLM – conversation about the agency’s history with extractive industries, shifting public perceptions, and the fight to keep public lands in public hands.
• Fighting Burnout and Finding Joy – reflections on fatigue, the impact of the pandemic, and the importance of celebrating wins, taking time outside, and staying connected to the land.
• Equity and Access to Nature – why making public lands welcoming and accessible for all communities is essential, and how the next generation is leading with fresh energy and perspective.

For more information about the Conservation Lands Foundation and to join their email list, visit https://www.conservationlands.org/. Like, follow, and share on Instagram and Facebook.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or at thewildidea.com.

Resources and mentions from today’s episode:

Links and Resources

• Where I Belong
  A short film featuring Chris Hill that explores identity and belonging in the outdoors. Watch on Vimeo
• Black Faces, White Spaces by Carolyn Finney
  A book about race, identity, and the history of African Americans in the outdoors.
• Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
  Abbey’s classic memoir reflecting on wilderness, solitude, and the fight to protect wild places. 

Organizations, Coalitions & Campaigns

• Conservation Lands Foundation
  • Website
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

• Virginia Wilderness Committee
• The Wilderness Society
• Chesapeake Women Anglers
  

Places and Landmarks

• Katmai National Park, Alaska
• Linville Gorge, North Carolina
• Bears Ears National Monument, Utah
• Avi Kwa Ame, Nevada
• Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Utah
• King Range National Conservation Area, California
• Chuckwalla National Monument, California
• Cotoni-Coast Dairies, California
• Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, Florida 

Government and Policy References

• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
• National Conservation Lands
• Roadless Rule
• U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee
• Interior Appropriations Bill

Chris Hill (she/her) is the Chief Executive Officer of the Conservation Lands Foundation, bringing over 15 years of experience in community organizing, environmental law and lobbying, and public policy advocacy. A former Chief Conservation Officer at the Sierra Club and the first Black woman to lead its lands, water, and wildlife campaigns, Chris has built a distinguished career advancing conservation, outdoor equity, and just transition initiatives across state, regional, and federal landscapes. She serves on the boards of Trout Unlimited and One Green Thing,  and was featured in the award-winning film Where I Belong. Rooted in her early love for the outdoors, Chris continues to find joy on the river fly fishing with her husband and dog, and resides in Southeast Alaska.

The Wild Idea is independently produced by Wild Idea Media. If you believe conversations like this matter, you can help us keep them going by subscribing, leaving a review, sharing the episode, or signing up for our newsletter at thewildidea.com. Together, we can protect what connects us.