Pam at Park Butte Lookout, near Mt Baker

September 29 was National Public Lands Day in the U.S. You probably missed it, like millions of other Americans–it’s not promoted as a national holiday to celebrate. But it should be.

We are unique among nations in that our government had the foresight to preserve millions of acres that are owned by the American people.

View South from Park Butte area, North Cascades

Last February, presidential candidate Mitt Romney said that he didn’t know what the purpose of public lands was. Yikes! Are you kidding? Sadly, he’s not alone in that ignorance.

First and foremost (in my opinion), our public lands are preserved for all Americans, including future generations. These fantastic views and beautiful properties are not reserved for the rich or for those who staked the first claim; they belong to all of us.

Hikers climbing trail to Park Butte

These preserved areas protect and generate much of our clean air and clean water. 124 million Americans get their drinking water from public lands. These natural landscapes help to mitigate our climate changes. They also produce timber and minerals and other resources, although (again, in my opinion) the sales of these resources tend to be at bargain basement prices with the majority of the profit going to corporations and usually only pennies (and often the cost of cleanup) going to the American public. This is our land. We should all let Congress know that we expect that equation to change in the future.

Brilliant red huckleberry bushes brighten the landscape

Our incredible national parks and forests are huge draws for tourists, too. I frequently cross paths with groups from Germany and Japan and Canada, and I’m proud that we can share our national treasures with the world. Hiking and kayaking and enjoying nature makes my heart sing, and I will always fight to preserve and protect the amazing crown jewels that are owned by all of us. I hope all Americans will realize their value and celebrate their ownership, too. Our public lands are what makes this country truly “America the Beautiful.”