Overview

Tread Lightly! has developed the first legs of a multi-dimensional education and outreach campaign built around a central slogan, “Respected Access is Open Access.” The message is simple – responsible behavior leads to continued access. The need for this campaign came from the foresight of the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable.

Focus

The campaign’s initial focus is to encourage partnerships with responsible recreational shooters on public lands, but the long range goal of the campaign is to improve behavior of all recreationists on public and private lands and waters by addressing problems that go beyond those associated with recreational shooting.

Purpose

The purpose of the campaign is to maintain and enhance access to public and private lands by improving recreationists’ behavior in order to reduce litter, property and natural resource damage, unsafe and irresponsible practices, and visitor conflicts.

Research

This campaign is based on a solid foundation of research conducted by the internationally recognized research firm Responsive Management™. The study includes scientific surveys and focus groups conducted with public lands shooters across the United States.

Utilization

Integration of the Respected Access campaign into existing education programs, services and materials by key stakeholders is vital to the overall success of the campaign.

Land managers, instructors/educators, media outlets, conservation organizations, and any other groups or individuals are encouraged to take full advantage of the campaign’s downloadable public service announcements, logo, and quick-tips. Other resources are in the works, such as an online course, trail kiosks, campaign merchandise, and additional public service announcements.

Funding

This campaign could not have been possible without the financial support of:

Given the enormity of the need, Tread Lightly! is seeking additional partners to help expand this important cause.

Tread Lightly!

About Tread Lightly!

Tread Lightly! is a national, apolitical nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible outdoor recreation through ethics education and stewardship. www.treadlightly.org

Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable

About the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable

In 2006, a consortium of fish and wildlife conservation organizations and three federal land management agencies signed the Federal Lands Hunting, Fishing & Shooting Sports Memorandum of Understanding.  As a result of this agreement, the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable was created to focus on improving access and opportunities for hunters and recreational shooters across America.  The Respected Access education campaign is one of the Roundtable’s top initiatives.

The organizations and agencies signed on the Federal Lands Hunting, Fishing & Shooting Sports MOU are:  USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management, USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, American Sportfishing Association, Archery Trade Association, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Bear Trust International, Boone & Crockett Club of America, Bow Hunting Preservation Alliance, Campfire Club of America, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Conservation Force, Dallas Safari Club, Delta Waterfowl Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (now the Wild Sheep Foundation), Houston Safari Club, Izaak Walton League of America, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, National Rifle Association of America, National Shooting Sport Foundation, National Trapper’s Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, North American Bear Foundation, North American Grouse Partnership, Orion – The Hunter’s Institute, Pheasants Forever, Pope & Young Club, Public Lands Foundation, Quail Unlimited, Quality Deer Management Association, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ruffed Grouse Society, Safari Club International, Sand County Foundation, Sporting Arms & Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, Texas Wildlife Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Whitetails Unlimited, Wildlife Forever and the Wildlife Management Institute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this campaign only address hunting and shooting?
The campaign’s initial focus is recreational shooters on public lands, but the long range goal of the campaign is to improve behavior of all recreationists on public lands and waters by addressing problems that go beyond those associated with recreational shooting.

Can I reprint the public service announcements to help spread the message?
Yes. You are encouraged to utilize the campaign. Permission is not needed to reprint the PSAs if you print the messages in their entirety. But please let us know if you are using the campaign. Just email us at treadlightly@treadlightly.org. If you want to change the text of the PSAs, please contact us.

Who created this campaign?
The Respected Access is Open Access Campaign was created by the nonprofit organization Tread Lightly!, at the request of the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable.

Why is it important to save outdoor access for hunting and shooting sports?
Hunting is an important part of the conservation model as well as a longstanding tradition and part of our American heritage. Hunting assists land managers in maintaining a healthy species population and protect the natural resources. Hunters volunteer many hours and give millions of dollars annually to protect the wildlife and lands they value. The Forest Service and other agencies are guided by a multiple-use mandate to provide for the acceptable and legal use of public lands for the broad range of recreational uses of the natural resources. Educating and informing the widest range of visitors and recreationists about outdoor ethics helps land management agencies leverage resources for sustainable stewardship of the lands they administer.

Why promote the Respect Access campaign?
To help keep our great outdoors healthy, sustainable, and accessible for you and your children, and future generations of Americans. Hunters and recreational shooters will continue to be ambassadors of a clean, natural environment and all visitors will partner together to Respect Access to maintain Open Access.

How can I help?
  1. Become a volunteer—contact your local land management agency and ask how you can help—assist in local cleanups, become a mentor, and educate the public that responsible use of our outdoors will sustain that use and create everlasting stewards of the lands we all love.
  2. If you are a member of the recreational shooting or hunting community, continue the message that your community has always been a leader in natural resource protection and the community stands united to support the Respected Access is Open Access campaign. Strive to be that leader in your area.
  3. If you are a member of the media or work for a government agency, utilize the public service announcements in your magazines, newsletters, kiosks, maps, etc.
  4. Donate to the Respected Access campaign to educate others and help maintain your access.

Contact Us

Contact Us – Questions or comments?

Respectedaccess@treadlightly.org
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