In this powerful episode of The Sustainable Angler, we're diving deep into a topic close to my heart: America’s public lands. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend countless days camping, hiking, and fly fishing on these wild, beautiful landscapes. Public lands connect us with nature, fuel our $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, and offer a spiritual refuge that’s becoming increasingly rare. But right now, they’re under serious threat.

Some lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina, are proposing to sell off our public lands to balance the federal budget, putting our shared natural heritage—and the communities that depend on it—at risk.

To unpack this critical issue, I’m joined by Land Tawney, longtime conservation leader, public lands advocate, and leader behind American Hunters and Anglers Action Network. We talk about how Land got into conservation, the spiritual and economic value of public lands, their role in protecting clean air and water, and why they must remain in public hands. We also explore the history of the American conservation movement, the mounting threats to public lands today, and how you can make your voice heard.

Land also shares the Top 5 most effective ways to make your voice heard with lawmakers, based on his 25 years in conservation:

1. Have a 1-on-1 conversation and tell your story.
2. Call your Senators and elected officials and tell them to keep public lands in public hands.
3. Comment and message your elected officials on social media with that same message.
4. Send an email, especially using easy tools and petitions from groups like Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
5. Talk to your friends and family—your voice carries more power than you think.

Side note: If you are a brand that wants to support keeping public lands in public hands, I highly recommend joining Brands for Public Lands, an initiative from The Conservation Alliance that currently has 60+ members, including Patagonia, Meat Eater, and Emerger Strategies. Sign sign up to join Brands for Public Lands.

This episode is a call to action. If you care about wild places, clean water, healthy communities, or just love spending time outdoors—you don’t want to miss it.

To listen to previous episodes of The Sustainable Angler, visit emergerstrategies.com/podcast, and if you like what you’re hearing, an absolutely free way to show your support is by leaving it a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The Sustainable Angler is available anywhere you listen to podcasts, and also airing Saturday’s at 2 PM on Charleston's first and only community supported radio station, Ohm Radio, 96.3 FM.

This episode of The Sustainable Angler podcast is brought to you by Emerger Strategies, and A New Earth Project - The Sustainability Initiative of Atlantic Packaging.

Hilton shares his extraordinary journey from political operative to documentary filmmaker after surviving cancer twice and receiving a life-changing stem cell transplant that he calls his "rebirth." This profound reset led him to abandon the pursuit of power for the authentic storytelling that now defines his award-winning films like "Tension" and "Father Nature."

Meanwhile, Paul reveals how his lifelong obsession with drawing fish began in middle school and eventually became his artistic signature. His philosophy that "every painting is a stepping stone" captures his humble approach to a body of work that has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for conservation efforts over the years.

The conversation weaves through the making of "Time Will Tell," which documents Paul's artistic impact on the fly fishing world and features his work being inducted into the American Museum of Fly Fishing. With filming locations spanning from Jackson Hole to the Florida Keys to Vermont, the documentary represents a beautiful convergence of two artists using their gifts to inspire others.

What emerges most powerfully is their shared commitment to conservation – not just as a concept but as a legacy. As Hilton notes through a Native American proverb featured in his work: "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children." It's a reminder that whether through paint or film, their creative work serves something larger than themselves.

Check out "Time Will Tell" at the International Fly Fishing Film Festival, and discover more from these talented creators at paulpuckettart.com and loveaffaircreative.com.

This episode of The Sustainable Angler podcast is brought to you by Emerger Strategies, and and A New Earth Project - The Sustainability Initiative of Atlantic Packaging.