Yes, the attacks on public lands just keep coming. This time, the USDA is moving to rescind the Roadless Rule (a critical conservation regulation that's protected 30% of our National Forests for nearly 25 years), and the first public comment period closes in just four days.

I break down what the rule is, why it matters, and how you can leave a meaningful comment that goes on record. I also myth-bust claims about wildfire management, accessibility, and economic value, etc.

Take action now: Go to regulations.gov and search FS-2025-0001. Share your personal story, cite research, and keep it respectful. Or click here: https://bit.ly/RoadlessRuleComment. Your comment matters!

TL;DR

• The Roadless Rule (since 2001) protects ~58M acres of National Forests (about 30%) from new industrial road-building.
• USDA is moving to rescind it and is rushing the scoping comment period (only 21 days).
• Roads do not reduce wildfire risk; they often increase human-caused ignitions and invasive species spread.
• Roads ≠ accessibility. True access requires intentional infrastructure (bathrooms, trail surfacing/width, maintenance, programs).
• Forest Service already has 386,000+ miles of roads and a $8.4B maintenance backlog. Adding more is unsafe and unsustainable.
• Your specific, respectful, and sourced comment becomes part of the public record and matters both now and later in court. It's important!
• Comment period ends SOON! Deadline: Sept. 19th

LINKS

• Leave your comment here: https://bit.ly/RoadlessRuleComment.
• Roadless Rule myths debunked: https://www.madeleinewilson.org/post/roadless-rule-myths-debunked-facts-vs-fiction
• All about public comments: https://www.madeleinewilson.org/post/roadless-rule-public-comment-guide
• Why removing the Roadless Rule doesn't benefit disabled people: https://www.madeleinewilson.org/post/removing-roadless-rule-wont-increase-accessibility-disabled-people

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 – Welcome & urgent call to action (comment deadline in 4 days!)
• 02:00 – Roadless Rule 101: what it is & what it protects
• 06:10 – The rulemaking process & why comments matter legally
• 10:25 – Myth-busting wildfire arguments
• 16:15 – Roads ≠ accessibility: the truth about disabled access
• 21:05 – What Roadless areas safeguard: water, wildlife, recreation
• 25:50 – Forest Service backlog & why adding more roads is reckless
• 29:30 – Economic reality: existing value of Roadless lands
• 33:20 – How to write a strong public comment
• 39:40 – Closing thoughts, collective action, and ways to support

In this bonus episode of Outdoorsy, I’m diving into a topic I’ve been asked about a lot: How Leave No Trace and outdoor ethics apply outside the U.S. This is a Patreon-only episode, so head on over to https://www.patreon.com/c/Outdoorsy to listen to the full episode!

A bit of background: As my platform has grown and reached more global listeners, it’s become clear that our U.S.-centric framework doesn’t always translate, and that’s okay!

For this episode, I did a ton of research and crowd-sourced insights from my international community to bring you a more nuanced look at outdoor recreation ethics around the world. From Iceland’s invasive lupins to Scotland’s “right to roam” laws, I unpack how different regions manage access, protect ecosystems, and weave in cultural and spiritual values. Spoiler: Leave No Trace is more of a mindset than a strict rulebook.

I also talk about:

• Why staying on trail in the U.S. is different than in Alaska or Sweden
• The nuance behind those frolicking wildflower field photos
• How cultural and Indigenous practices may contradict and shouldn’t be policed by LNT principles
• What “digital Leave No Trace” means when you're sharing travel content online
• Why planning ahead and preparing is the single most universal outdoor ethic, no matter where you are

Whether you're planning an international hiking trip, wondering if it's okay to camp on private land in the UK, or just curious about how other cultures recreate outdoors, this episode will leave you with a deeper appreciation for context, culture, and curiosity.

🔗 Full blog post with all the sources: https://www.madeleinewilson.org/post/global-outdoor-ethics-and-recreation-rules

🎧 If this episode resonates, please subscribe, leave a review, and check out my Patreon to support the show and join the Outdoorsy Discord community. We’ve got Cozy Camping Club meetups coming up, and you won’t want to miss them. Find that here: https://www.patreon.com/c/Outdoorsy.

Until next time, I hope you get outside in a way that makes sense to you, and remember: You belong out there.

In this bonus episode of Outdoorsy, I'm diving into an often-overlooked aspect of Leave No Trace: Your online footprint.

We know the basics of LNT—stay on trail, pack it out, don’t feed wildlife—but what happens when the rules get broken online? From viral meadow-frolicking videos to misleading photo ops, I'm breaking down the real-world impact of what we post on social media, even if our intentions are good.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why posting a "harmless" photo can lead to long-term ecological damage
• How even one human footprint can take 50+ years to heal in alpine tundra
• What to consider before you hit "share" on that gorgeous wildflower shot
• Ways to model ethical behavior online without sacrificing beauty or creativity

Whether you're an influencer, a casual hiker, or someone who just loves posting pics from your national park visits, this episode is ultimately designed to help you make more thoughtful choices.

🔗 Bonus content: Check out our past episodes on Leave No Trace and Geotagging Ethics.