We’re using our tactical skills: Veterans organize to fight for public lands

Kate and Lilly talk to two veterans about a new organization entering the fight for public lands—the aptly named Veterans for Public Lands . They are Chappy Chappell, a U.S. Navy veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom who directs the Arizona Trail Association ’s Veteran Engagement and Trail Stewardship program and serves as Veterans for Public Lands’ senior advisor for Arizona, and Nick Borrelli, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, licensed clinical social worker, and surf therapist based in Southern California, who serves as a senior advisor for Veterans for Public Lands in California. Kate and Lilly also discuss the midterm election as well as the permitting bill moving through Congress right now, and what both could mean for public lands. News Jared Huffman announces bid for Natural Resources gavel – Politico Pro Candidates from both parties ran on a pro-public lands message in the 2026 midterms – Westwise Map: The Senate permitting bill would lock in Trump’s assault on public lands – Westwise Resources Get involved with Veterans for Public Lands Connect with Chappy by phone (970-779-5740) or by email (chappy@veteransforpubliclands.org) Learn more about the Arizona Trail Association Learn more about the Jimmy Miller Foundation Watch this episode on YouTube (coming soon) Produced by Aaron Weiss, Lauren Bogard, Kate Groetzinger, and Lilly Bock-Brownstein Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Colonel Bob Wilderness, Olympic National Forest; Source: USFS/Flickr The post We’re using our tactical skills: Veterans organize to fight for public lands appeared first on Center for Western Priorities .