On Aug. 3, Montana-based outdoor mapping company onX launched a free tool to help people across the country navigate public comment opportunities regarding federal management of public lands. As ownership and use of public lands continue to be debated in the legislature and media, the Public Land Comment Hub provides a centralized resource for users to identify and submit feedback to federal agencies.

“It’s been a gap in the public discourse; we wanted to empower more people to participate in these public comment periods,” said Lisa Nichols, senior corporate philanthropy and advocacy manager at onX, who led the development of the Public Land Comment Hub. “… Montanans really care about their public lands. These are the places where people make memories, and get meat to fill their freezer. We’re really hoping to connect more Montanans to their public lands when they have a chance to weigh in.”

The Public Land Comment Hub maps active public comment periods for public lands across the United States. Users can navigate to the forests and other public lands they recreate in and follow links directly to federal websites where they can learn about proposed actions and submit their comments for agency consideration.

For many Montanans, access to public land is critical.