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Policy

Mission Possible

Rancher herds cattle on public lands in Wyoming.

How people in the United States benefit from conservation and climate policies

August 26, 2025

Mission Possible People all over the United States benefit from government policies, programs and the funding associated with them. © Jenny Nichols

You might not know it, but government policies and funding are all around you and help make your life possible. Clean water to drink, parks to hike in, farmland where healthy food is grown—all of this and more is made possible by policy.

Many people don’t make the connection between the good thing happening to them— like drinking clean water—and the government. Click on the videos below to see how people all over the United States benefit from government policies, programs and the funding associated with them.

We hope these stories will inspire you to become an advocate for nature and climate. We must use our voices to remind government leaders of their responsibility to care for America’s land, air, water and wildlife.

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Stories about people who benefit from policy

Mission Possible (1:05) Clean water, parks to enjoy, healthy farmlands and forests, sustainable sources of food—all of those and more are made possible by federal policy. The Nature Conservancy's Mission Possible series shows how people all over the country benefit from policy.

Government Policies and Funding Make Public Lands Possible

Public lands—like parks, forests and wildlife refuges—help shape what makes America special. They give us places to hike, fish, climb and enjoy nature. And public lands aren't just beautiful. They are also good for business, providing jobs and billions of dollars for our national economy.

People from all walks of life benefit from our public lands—like artists who find inspiration in the landscape, outdoor guides who make a living taking people on adventures and scientists who research our wildlife, lands and waters.

But keeping these lands healthy and open to everyone takes government policies and funding. Without it, we risk losing the wild places we all love. The videos below show stories about people who rely on and benefit from America's public lands.

Protecting Rock Climbing in Kentucky (:54) Climbing gear? Check. Epic routes? Check. Public lands? Absolutely essential. For Ben, a climbing guide in the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, his favorite part of his job is watching people light up on the wall. But none of it would be possible without public lands, like national forests, which not only support his job but also the economy of the entire region.
Inspiring Pottery in New Mexico (1:04) Logan Wannamaker’s pottery is shaped by the high mountain desert of New Mexico, where protected public lands inspire every form and color. Each piece is a tribute to the land, native plants and waters just outside his studio door. Protecting public lands means preserving the art they make possible.
Learning to Sail in Connecticut (1:05) Tobey’s not just teaching his cousin Charlie to sail — he’s passing down a love for the water and our oceans that’s only possible because government policies and funding keep our water clean and accessible to all. This very cove is where Tobey first learned to sail as a kid, and thanks to federal investments, it's still a safe space for Tobey to teach Charlie how to sail and how to care for the places we cherish.
Protecting Public Lands in Virginia (1:14) For decades, Laura's watched the land around her family's farm in northern Virginia change as development creeps closer. But thanks to federal protections and conservation, wild places like nearby Great Falls National Park remain untouched. Today, she explores those same trails with her grandchildren, passing on a love for nature that will span generations.
Maintaining Safe Trails in Vermont (1:07) Lorne Currier’s boots hit the trail long before ours do. With support from the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of the Interior, Lorne and his crew have helped build safe and sustainable trails in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest so people can have easy access to adventure and nature.
D.C.'s Public Lands Benefit Dogs and People (:56) Molly’s business, Happy Hikers D.C., depends on two things: dogs and national parks. She and her four-legged hikers often explore federally protected public lands surrounding our nation's capitol, like Theodore Roosevelt Island, where safe trails and natural beauty offer a daily escape from the city for her and her furry companions.
Protected Rivers Support Fly Fishing in Washington (1:07) Joe Rotter's backyard is the Yakima River, and it never gets old. As a fly-fishing guide, he spends his days chasing trout in the Yakima, which winds through protected public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. For Joe, it’s more than a job—it’s a way of life that depends on protecting this river and land for everyone to enjoy.
Learning to Kayak in Colorado's Public Lands (:54) Ceci’s dad, John, isn’t just teaching her to whitewater kayak—he’s teaching her to love the outdoors. At 10 years old, she’s already paddling through rapids with confidence. Their classroom is Colorado's clean, wild rivers, which flow through federally protected public lands and national parks.

Learn how we're defending America's public lands

Threats to the country's public lands are growing. Learn how TNC is standing up for our national forests, national parks and other public conservation lands.

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Government Policies and Funding Make Landscape Restoration Possible

With the right support, we can help nature thrive. People work to restore forests, rebuild coastal shorelines, plant native flowers and protect important cultural sites. Why? Because doing so makes our landscapes healthier, our communities safer and our shared history stronger.

All of this takes care, science and, yes, policies and funding. 

Restoring Desert Habitats in Utah (1:13) In Utah’s rugged landscape, native plants are the unsung heroes. These tough-weather plants are a source of food for wildlife and pollinators and help prevent soil erosion. Kara's nonprofit, Rim to Rim Restoration, received government funding from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service to grow native plants and seeds in Utah. And that's great news because, when native plants flourish, so does everything around them.
Supporting Native Plant Restoration in Arizona (1:00) Francesca’s roots in Patagonia, Ariz. run deep—just like the native plants she helps grow. Francesca leads the Native Plant Program for the nonprofit, Borderlands Restoration Network, and runs Borderlands Nursery & Seed. Her aim is to provide restoration-quality native plants that are adapted to the unique climate of the U.S.–Mexico borderlands. Thanks to federal funding, they've scaled the program, growing over 100,000 plants each year and helping this vital restoration work truly bloom.
Creating Living Shorelines in Georgia (1:02) Nik Heynen is helping rebuild Georgia’s coast—one oyster shell at a time. Through Shell to Shore, a local organization that uses recycled oyster shells from local restaurants to create living shorelines that protect coastal habitats and reduce erosion. This work is supported in part by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's SOAR grant, a federal initiative funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support aquaculture and habitat restoration near coastal communities.
Protecting Archaeology Sites in Illinois (:55) Thanks to federal policies like the Land and Water Conservation Fund and National Historic Preservation Act, Millstone Bluff in Illinois remains a window into the past. For 30 years, Mike and Mary have helped keep this archaeology site's history and stories alive. They've mapped rock art that dates back to 1250 and lead guided tours that connect people to its deep history. Continued protection ensures that future generations can learn from and connect with this important site.
Restoring the Kaw River in Kansas (1:01) Dawn Buehler and her team at Friends of the Kaw have removed thousands of tires and tons of debris from the Kaw River—restoring it for the more than 800,000 Kansans who rely on it for clean drinking water. These cleanups are made possible by federal funding from agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Investing in clean water means healthier communities, thriving wildlife and safer recreation for everyone.
Restoring North Carolina's Longleaf Pine (1:04) Prescribed fire isn’t just about burning. It’s about bringing life back to the land by keeping forests healthy. With help from a Farm Bill program called the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Leslie and Leah Thiel use prescribed fire to manage their longleaf pine forest in North Carolina, preserving wildlife habitat and protect their land's future so their family and others can enjoy the forest long into the future.

Learn how we're defending conservation and climate policies

Policies are already being used to support stream restoration projects in Maine, plant more trees in Pennsylvania and restore coastlines in South Carolina. But many conservation and climate policies—as well as the funding that comes with them—are being weakened or eliminated. Learn how TNC is working to defend policies that help restore, manage and protect nature.

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Government Policies and Funding Make Sustainable Communities Possible

Strong communities grow from smart investments. Whether it's supporting local farms that grow fresh food for schools, building bike lanes, installing solar panels or hosting free community theater in public parks, government policies—and the funding that comes with them—help bring people together and create thriving communities. 

Supporting Community Agriculture in Maryland (1:02) Emma Jagoz of Moon Valley Farm isn’t just growing food—she’s serving her community. Using support from federal U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, she’s built pollinator meadows, expanded her organic grain production and scaled her farm's CSA to better serve local schools, families and restaurants. One key USDA program that helped her provide fresh fruits and vegetables for local Maryland schools and students was recently cancelled, putting years of progress at risk.
Green Spaces Support Community Well-being in Missouri In St. Louis' Forest Park, theater is free, safe, and rooted in community. Michael, a local actor, brings stories to life in one of the city’s most beloved green spaces, supported by federal conservation and recreation programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund. These performances demonstrate how public investment in parks not only enriches cultural life but also supports local economies and strengthens community well-being.
Investing in Active Transportation in Minnesota (:46) Every day, Alex proves that biking is one of the best ways to get around Minneapolis. “I’ll beat the bus, I’ll beat the car, I’ll beat walking,” he says, and bike lanes — built using state and federal funding — help him do just that. When we invest in clean, active transportation, we're investing in healthier, happier cities.
Accelerating Solar Energy in Iowa (1:04) Bob Riley installed solar panels on his business near Des Moines, Iowa turning sunshine into savings and sustainability. His business is now saving thousands of dollars on monthly electrical bills. This was made possible by federal clean energy tax credits—but many of those credits have now been repealed, threatening the clean energy momentum of the last few years.
Sustainable Crabbing in South Carolina (1:03) What began as Tia Clark’s personal journey into crabbing has grown into a powerful business that connects families and kids with Charleston’s native crabs and coastal habitats. Supported by federal investments—including a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant—Tia’s work gives local students firsthand experience with conservation, sustainable fishing and the cultural heritage of South Carolina’s waters.

More Policy Priorities

Two farmers on horses riding among crops.

Supporting the Farm Bill

TNC is teaming up with farmers, ranchers and partners across the country to promote Farm Bill conservation programs, ensuring clean water, healthy lands and thriving rural communities.

Polychrome Pass in Denali National Park.

Delivering on Historic Climate and Conservation Wins

Discover how TNC helps create, implement and defend policies, including the IRA and IIJA to deliver lasting results for people and nature.

Family stands in front on wind turbines at sunset.

Permitting Reform Would Accelerate Climate Mitigation and Restoration Projects

To protect nature and tackle climate change, the U.S. needs to accelerate clean energy and habitat restoration projects. Modernizing permitting processes will help us get there.