Our Vision

Nowhere else in the world do Public Lands exist on the scale and scope we have here in the United States.
From alpine peaks to desert canyons, dense forests to wide-open plains — these lands are not just remarkable for their beauty, but for what they represent: freedom, access, and a shared American heritage. This is a story only we, as Americans, can tell — because these lands are ours. Not in the abstract, but in a literal, powerful sense. They belong to the people.

This film is about telling that story — not through politics or policy, but through people. Our goal is to unite the many user groups who engage with Public Lands — whether for recreation, livelihood, solitude, or tradition — by tapping into the common thread that binds us all: our deep, human connection to these wild places.

Through authentic, unfiltered conversations with a diverse range of individuals, we’ll explore what Public Lands mean to them — how they use them, why they value them, and what it feels like to have free and open access to something so vast, so sacred, and so essential.

At the center of it all is a simple symbol: a stool. In each scene, someone takes a seat — just them, their voice, and the land they love. No fanfare. No distractions. Just a moment of honesty and reflection. Each story adds another layer to the greater narrative — one of identity, belonging, and responsibility.

By grounding this film in personal truth, we hope to foster understanding across boundaries, build empathy where there may be division, and remind every viewer that keeping Public Lands in public hands is not just a policy issue — it’s a deeply human one.

These lands tell an American story. And in listening to one another, we write the next chapter — together.

About the Film

We The Public will be a documentary film about the urgent need to protect, preserve, and defend America’s public lands. These landscapes — from national parks and forests to wildlife refuges and BLM land — are more than just scenic backdrops. They are the physical embodiment of our democracy: land owned by everyone, accessible to all, and entrusted to us for future generations.

Shot entirely on public lands across the country, the film features powerful interviews with Americans from all walks of life — Indigenous leaders, hunters, hikers, ranchers, scientists, off-roaders, and more. Despite their differences, they all share something vital: a deep connection to the land and a commitment to keeping it public.

This is the story of a country coming together — on the ground we all share.

Why Now?

Our public lands are facing real and growing threats.
From efforts to defund agencies and shrink protections, to lawsuits attempting to transfer ownership to states and private interests, the future of public lands hangs in the balance.

But across the country, people are rising up — not as partisans, but as public landowners. We The Public captures that spirit, showing how these lands can unite rather than divide us, and why their protection is a responsibility we all share.

Themes of the Film

We The Public will explore the diverse ways people use — and love — our public lands, through six unifying themes:

• Shared Ownership & Stewardship
  Public lands belong to all Americans. Stewardship is a shared duty, not a political issue.

• Access & Recreation
  From backcountry solitude to family campouts, public lands offer something for everyone.

• Conservation & Preservation
  Protecting ecosystems, wildlife, and open space is a goal that crosses cultural and political lines.

• Cultural & Historical Significance
  These lands hold deep meaning for Indigenous communities and are sacred chapters of our collective story.

• Economic & Community Impact
  Public lands drive tourism, support jobs, and sustain rural economies.

• The Need for Balance
  Multiple users — from ranchers to researchers — can coexist if we put shared values first.

Who It’s For

Every American.
Whether you’re a weekend hiker or a lifelong rancher, a tribal member or a trail runner, if you benefit from public lands — and you do — this film is for you.

We speak to:

• Recreational users – Hikers, campers, anglers, hunters, off-roaders, wildlife watchers

• Indigenous tribes – Protecting sacred and ancestral lands

• Resource users – Ranchers, loggers, miners, energy workers seeking sustainable use

• Scientists & researchers – Studying ecosystems and climate change

• Educators & students – Using lands as classrooms

• Everyone – Who depends on clean air, water, biodiversity, and open space

Support the Film

To produce this film at the scale and quality it deserves, we are raising $500,000 from diverse funding sources. Your support will help ensure we maintain creative independence and tell the story with integrity, authenticity, and urgency.

This isn’t just a documentary — it’s a movement.

Take Action

Donate. Share. Protect.
Help us bring this film to life — and fuel a national conversation about what it means to own something together.

We the people. We the public. This is our land.