Recreation as regeneration
A manifesto for people, planet, and play
We believe outdoor recreation can be a radical force for regeneration—of ecosystems, communities, and the human spirit. When rooted in intention, reciprocity, and justice, play becomes a path toward planetary healing.
Why recreation matters
In a time of climate crisis, disconnection, and burnout, outdoor recreation offers:
Direct relationship with the natural world
Embodied joy that doesn't rely on extraction
A training ground for resilience, cooperation, and courage
A political base for conservation and climate action
Recreation is not an escape. It's a return.
Principles of regenerative recreation
1. Go human-powered
We choose bikes, boots, boards, and boats. Our movement is our protest and our prayer.
2. Stay longer, go slower
Connection deepens when we linger. We embrace slow adventure over quick conquest.
3. Give back to the places that hold us
We participate in trail work, local advocacy, and Indigenous land defense. We give as much as we take.
4. Elevate local voices
We listen to and support the wisdom of local communities, especially those who have stewarded these lands for generations.
5. Make it accessible
We work to break down barriers so that everyone—regardless of background—can experience wildness and belonging.
6. Honor limits
We respect seasonal closures, carry out trash, and minimize noise. We recognize that recreation, too, must have boundaries.
7. Build community, not clout
We seek shared joy, not selfies. Our stories uplift collective experience over personal branding.
Recreation as resistance
In the face of fossil-fueled consumerism, we choose a different story:
One where joy is found in sweat, not stuff.
Where adventure leads to action.
Where land is not a playground, but a relative.
We reject the myth that climate responsibility means giving up joy. Instead, we believe that real joy comes from living in integrity with the planet and each other.
Our commitments
We advocate for climate policies that protect wild places and frontline communities.
We organize for trail access, clean air, and public lands.
We mentor, include, and uplift new adventurers.
We vote, donate, and show up.
Our invitation
Come hike, bike, paddle, and wander—not just to feel alive, but to become allies to life itself.
Recreation isn’t the opposite of resistance. It’s how we remember what we’re fighting for.
Let’s build a world where adventure regenerates—where people, planet, and play thrive together.
Signed by all who believe that a better world is worth the climb.