Local opinion: Arizona’s public lands must remain open and accessible

From my childhood in central Washington to my life today in Southern Arizona, public lands have always been a big part of who I am. Hunting, fishing and simply exploring the outdoors shaped me from a young age.

Whether I was surrounded by the forests of the Northwest or the towering saguaros of the Sonoran Desert, the outdoors always gave me a sense of peace and belonging. After serving four years in the military, including a combat tour in Afghanistan from 2014-15, reconnecting with nature helped me heal and transition back to civilian life.

I grew up and now live in states with millions of acres of public land, but during my military service I also lived in Kentucky and Tennessee, where public land access is much more limited. That experience made me realize how fortunate we are in the West to still have these shared spaces and how important it is to protect them.

Over 30 million acres in Arizona are federal public lands. These places are not only important for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor recreation, they also for the state’s economy, contributing approximately $5.2 billion annually to Arizona’s economy, according to a new report.

Unfortunately, I have also seen firsthand how quickly access to public lands can disappear.

Over the years, I’ve watched trails and access points close because of private land ownership, lack of funding, or resource extraction. In some places I used to hunt, access routes have been sold off or restricted, leaving only narrow and difficult ways in. I’ve literally had to rock climb just to reach public land that used to be much easier to access.

That is why efforts to privatize or sell off federal public lands concern me so deeply.

My parents were born and raised in Mexico, and although my family settled in the United States before I was born, we still visit relatives there. Living in Tucson now, I am even closer to the land my parents came from. I have witnessed what happens when outdoor access becomes increasingly privatized.

In Sonora, just across the border, many private ranches now charge thousands of dollars for guided hunting access and tags. Some Coues deer hunts can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 or more. For many ordinary families, those prices put hunting access out of reach. Hunting becomes something reserved for people with significant disposable income rather than something accessible to the general public. This is not the future I want for Arizona.

Public lands give everyone access to the outdoors. They allow families to hunt, fish, hike, camp and experience nature without needing wealth or private connections. They are places where memories are made, traditions are passed down, and people from all backgrounds can experience the outdoors. It is our privilege and responsibility to protect them. Once public lands are sold, we are unlikely to ever get them back.

June is Great Outdoors Month, a time to celebrate the public lands and waters that make life in the West so special. As hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and Arizonans, we have a responsibility to do everything we can to keep these wild places public, accessible and thriving for future generations.

This month, I urge our elected officials in Arizona and Washington, D.C., to stand up and protect our public lands. These lands belong to everyone, and they should remain that way for all who follow.