Attend a CalWild Stand By Your Lands Training
You care about public lands in California. You’re not sure how decisions actually get made to protect the places you love to walk, picnic, bike and think. Develop practical organizing skills while helping protect California’s public lands with CalWild’s two-part expert training.
CalWild’s FREE Stand By Your Lands training with seasoned advocacy experts will give you the tools and skills to defend the places you love. The program is designed for people who want to protect public lands in California—for all of us, now and for future generations.
Why do Californians need Stand By Your Lands training?
Federal agencies manage more than 45 million acres of California—nearly half the state– on our behalf. When you include state and local lands, public lands make up more than half of California.
These places are loved by people from across the state—and worldwide—but they face serious and unprecedented threats. They need our protection from extraction like logging and mining, but also from lack of care and extreme use.
What will I learn?
If you’ve ever signed a petition and wondered “What happens next?” this is it. The trainings help you build advocacy skills and tools and use them to defend the places you love most in California. Learn:
- How public lands decisions get made
- Who actually has the power to change outcomes
- How to influence decision-makers
- How to recruit others to your cause
- How successful campaigns win
With help from our expert team, you’ll work through real California public lands campaigns and help prepare for key advocacy opportunities in 2027.
Who should sign up?
- Outdoor enthusiasts
- Hikers, climbers, hunters, anglers
- Students and young professionals
- Community leaders
- Anyone who wants to defend public lands
If you’ve spoken up for our rivers, forests, mountains and deserts or just love to walk, swim, fish, bike or picnic on our shared lands and now wonder how you can help in a time when new threats keep appearing—this program is for you.
What does the training include?
The program starts with an online session, followed by an in-person training in your region. Each training builds upon the other, so participants are expected to attend both sessions.
Is there a cost to participate?
No. These trainings are free.
A $50 stipend will be provided to attendees for the in-person training to assist with the cost of travel and other needs for the day. Lunch and snacks will be provided.
Can I sign up now?
Yes. Sign up below!
Do I need prior advocacy experience?
No.
Whether you have connected with elected officials before, attended advocacy trainings, or are just getting started, this program is open to you.
What information do I need to provide in the sign up form?
The application helps us prepare for the trainings and includes:
- Basic contact information
- Which training region you want to attend
- Your interest in the training
Do I have to attend both sessions?
Yes. We expect you to attend both the online and in-person sessions, as each training builds upon the other.
Will accommodations be available?
Yes. You can share any special accommodations needed for either the online or in-person training in the application.
You can also indicate a preferred language for the training if it’s not English.
How will I hear back after signing up?
After you complete the application, we will be in touch soon.
Who can I contact with questions?
If you have any questions, please reach out to Sara Husby at shusby@calwild.org.
Anything else I should know?
These are your public lands—our lands—available for our collective enjoyment and use.
We are excited to learn more about you and help you develop the skills and tools needed to protect the lands you love.