Going Public Campaign Lets Us Support Our National Parks

Claim free symbolic shares in national parks to show Houston's support for protecting the outdoor spaces our tax dollars fund.

Americans already own 640 million acres of public land through our tax dollars. Now we can show our support for these spaces in a new way. The Going Public campaign lets us claim free symbolic shares in national parks, forests, and local trails.

This campaign works like the stock market but for nature. We can pick our favorite public places like Yosemite National Park or a local hiking trail. Each share we claim is like a vote for that location. A live ticker in Times Square shows which places are getting the most support.

When we claim a share, we get a symbolic certificate of ownership. We can also make a small donation to help boost our location's standing. The federal government manages about 28% to 30% of all land in the United States. Our tax dollars already fund the National Park Service and other agencies that take care of these places.

Nearly 90% of voters believe parks and natural areas are essential for our quality of life. The Going Public campaign runs from March 27 to May 30. After it closes on June 1, the locations with the most shares will receive money for local restoration work.

We can claim our shares online or visit the Public Lands Stock Exchange in Times Square. This campaign helps us turn our love for nature into action that protects these spaces for future generations.