In September, the National Wilderness Coalition (NWC) headed to DC for the second annual National Wilderness Week fly-in. More than 60 individuals representing over 27 different organizations and 21 different states came together with the same goal: advocating for wilderness and the protection of public lands. SUWA was well-represented, with a mix of staff, board, and redrock activists in attendance.

Over three days, advocates held over 100 meetings with members of Congress across the political spectrum; nearly a third of the meetings were with Republican legislators. At a moment when it feels like there is an ever-deepening divide between parties, the NWC was committed to reminding elected officials that wilderness designation should not be, and has not always been, a partisan issue.

Mixed into the packed days of meetings, the NWC held two fantastic events. First, a live podcast was recorded with Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) in partnership with The Wild Idea podcast hosted by Bill Hodge and Anders Reynolds. The conversation covered the importance of our connections to place, the threats from Congress and the Trump administration, and the necessity of coming together to care for ourselves and each other as we continue the difficult work of advocating for the protection of these wild spaces.

Second, the NWC’s Indigenous Committee hosted a powerful Indigenous Visibility Event in front of the Capitol in partnership with Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico (D-NM-3). This event highlighted the deep connections of Indigenous Peoples and Tribal Nations to wilderness and public lands, the impact communities have felt from environmental injustice, and the important leadership role Indigenous Peoples have always played and continue to play in the wilderness movement.

SUWA is grateful to be a founding member and active participant in the NWC. For more information about the fly-in, and to listen to a recording of The Wild Idea podcast or watch a video of the Indigenous Visibility event, visit nationalwildernesscoalition.org and click on “Our Work.”

—Lauren Hainsworth

The above article first appeared in the Autumn/Winter 2025 issue of our Redrock Wilderness newsletter. Become a member to receive our print newsletter in your mailbox 3 times a year.