As we celebrate Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we reflect on one of our nation’s most enduring ideals: that certain places are worth protecting for the benefit of everyone.

Just weeks ago, we marked the 111th anniversary of the John Muir Trail, one of America’s first recreational hiking trails. Established in 1915, the trail reflects a uniquely American vision that public lands should remain open to the public, safeguarding vital natural resources while offering opportunities for adventure, inspiration, and connection with the natural world. Stretching through the Sierra Nevada’s most treasured landscapes and most vital natural resources, the John Muir Trail remains a living testament to the legacy of public lands.

Generations of Americans have benefited from this commitment to public lands. Yet these landscapes do not protect themselves and have been deeply damaged in the last two centuries of westward settlement. Their future depends on urgently needed restoration and continued stewardship. It is our shared commitment to revitalize and conserve the watersheds, wilderness, and wildlife that sustain all life in California.

As we celebrate our nation’s past, we are grateful for your partnership in ensuring that these landscapes return to health and allow future generations to experience the same wild places that have inspired countless people for more than a century. The very health and well-being of our people springs from these snowy mountains.