Trust for Public Land Honors Conservation Champions and Advocates for Federal Priorities During Annual “Day on the Hill”
Trust for Public Land Recognizes Representatives Mike Simpson and Betty McCollum, and Conservation Leaders James Mann and Lucas St. Clair
Washington, DC – Nearly 200 Trust for Public Land (TPL) board members, staff, and community partners convened in the U.S. Capitol this week for the organization’s annual “Day on the Hill,” advancing national policy priorities to protect the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), advance the recently introduced Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act of 2026, and better connect more Americans to the outdoors.
“Our Day on the Hill is about building lasting momentum to ensure every person, in every community, can experience the benefits of the outdoors,” said Kate Kelly, Vice President of Government Relations and Policy. “Protecting LWCF and advancing the Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act are critical steps toward delivering on that vision—expanding access to nature, strengthening communities, and investing in the well-being of future generations.”
This week, TPL advocates met with more than 150 Congressional offices to underscore the essential role of parks, public lands, and schoolyards in supporting community health, climate resilience, and efforts to close the access gap to the outdoors. This year’s advocacy efforts focused on safeguarding LWCF—the nation’s most important conservation program—and building support to advance national schoolyards legislation that would establish, for the first time, a grant program to support the transformation of schoolyards into green, community-centered spaces—expanding access to nature for more than 20 million Americans without a nearby park.
As part of this year’s event, TPL honored four leaders whose work has advanced conservation, public access, and outdoor recreation investment across the country.
Representatives Mike Simpson (R – Idaho) and Betty McCollum (D – Minnesota) were awarded the Trailblazer Award for their longstanding leadership and commitment to protecting public lands and securing critical conservation funding. Their efforts have helped ensure that LWCF continues to support parks, trails, and open spaces in communities nationwide.
At a reception on Capitol Hill, TPL President and CEO Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser honored the Trailblazer Awardees, saying, “Representatives Mike Simpson (Rep – ID) and Betty McCollum (Dem – MN) exemplify the leadership needed to protect America’s public lands and expand access to the outdoors. Both are steadfast champions on Capitol Hill and in their respective districts for conservation, advancing policies and funding that make this important work possible. Trust for Public Land is proud to recognize their extraordinary impact and partnership.”
TPL Illinois Advisory Board Member James Mann and TPL’s National Board Chair Lucas St. Clair, were recognized with the Ferguson Award for their leadership and enduring contributions to conservation and public access. Their work reflects a deep commitment to protecting America’s natural landscapes and expanding opportunities for people to connect with the outdoors.
Hauser recognized the Ferguson Awardees, saying, “As a longtime Illinois TPL Board Member, Jim Mann’s decades-long commitment, thoughtful leadership, and unwavering dedication helped strengthen TPL’s mission and impact, making him a truly deserving nominee for recognition. And Lucas St. Clair – TPL’s National Board chair since 2021 – a close partner and collaborator who is deeply committed to conservation, to elevating Indigenous voices and stories, and who inspires us all with his special style of leadership and dedication to the places we love. We are honored to celebrate Jim and Lucas and to recognize the deep impact of their volunteer service to TPL.”
TPL’s legislative efforts have played a pivotal role in delivering results nationwide, including helping create more than 5,400 parks, trails, schoolyards, and green spaces, and protecting more than 4 million acres of land for public use. TPL also led the effort to fully and permanently fund LWCF and has helped pass 645 ballot measures, generating $112 billion in voter-approved funding for parks and conservation.
The Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act builds on this legacy by investing in the transformation of schoolyards into vibrant green spaces that support student learning, community resilience, and climate adaptation—particularly in communities that have historically lacked access to nature. Click HERE for recent research showing the impact schoolyards can afford communities and students in better accessing the outdoors.
For more than 50 years, TPL has worked to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. Through continued partnership with Congress, TPL aims to advance policies and investments that bring parks and public lands within reach of every community.
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About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit www.tpl.org
