Ever Wish You Could Pursue Your Mission—and Help Our National Parks (or other Federal Lands) at the Same Time?

Ever Wish You Could Pursue Your Mission—and Help Our National Parks at the Same Time?

Public lands nonprofits and advocacy groups often find themselves in a unique position: trying to protect the places we all love while also advancing their own mission and serving their communities. Whether you’re building trails, running an outdoor education program, or advocating for better access and inclusion on federal lands, your work is helping to shape the future of our parks, our public spaces, and our democracy.

There’s a reason so many groups are drawn to work in and around national parks and other public lands. Partnering with a federal land management agency means having a direct role in protecting places of natural beauty, historical significance, and national importance. It offers your organization a chance to expand its impact—serving visitors, telling important stories, and advancing conservation, education, and access goals at the heart of your mission.

But let’s be honest—doing that kind of work means navigating a regulatory maze. From federal leases and cooperative agreements to rulemakings, grants, and land use restrictions, the legal landscape can be overwhelming. And that’s before you even factor in things like Section 106 compliance, ADA access, tribal consultation, FOIA, and labor standards.

I’ve worked on many of these challenges from the inside. As a former federal official, I’ve negotiated real estate leases inside national parks, developed cooperative agreements, managed multi-agency stewardship strategies, and worked directly on accessibility, historic preservation, and public land planning initiatives. I know how the system works—because I helped run it.

Whether you're a grassroots nonprofit, a tribal organization, a regional coalition, or a longtime park partner, I can help you navigate the legal and regulatory hurdles that come with this work. From strategy and compliance to risk management and stakeholder coordination, I can provide legal support that meets you where you are and adapts as your needs grow.

So what all is involved in working with a federal land management agency (FLMA)? A lot more than most organizations expect. From legal compliance and federal leasing to permitting, consultation, grants management, and public engagement, partnering with the federal government—especially agencies like the National Park Service, Forest Service, or BLM—requires navigating a complex framework of laws, policies, and procedures.

Where I Can Support Your Work

I. Working on Public Lands and with Federal Partners

Public Comment, Rulemaking, and NEPA Participation

Support for nonprofits engaging in federal decision-making: drafting comments, preserving standing, and using the Administrative Procedure Act to influence policy.

Federal Land Use & Commercial Agreements

Legal strategy for nonprofits involved in leasing, concessions, CUAs, and cooperative agreements with agencies like the NPS.

Concessioner & Lessee Representation

Contract and regulatory assistance for nonprofit concessioners or lessees operating services on federal lands.

Public Lands & Resource Advocacy

Support for groups engaging in project reviews, permitting objections, or NEPA appeals related to public lands.

Co-Management & Stewardship Agreements

Counsel on entering into cooperative agreements, CMAs, MOUs, and similar frameworks for shared management with federal agencies.

Nonprofit Facility Use on Public Lands

Lease or licensing assistance for visitor centers, interpretive spaces, or office use inside or near federal lands.

Disability Rights in Public Programs

Legal representation on ADA or ABA compliance, accessible facilities, service animal rights, and inclusive program delivery.

II. Nonprofit, Educational & Community-Based Organizations

Strategic Counsel for Nonprofits

Governance, compliance, and federal grants support for 501(c)(3) and (c)(4) organizations aligned with public land or environmental missions.

Environmental Education & Interpretation

Legal support for nonprofits offering cultural or environmental education, especially in partnership with land management agencies.

Public History & Archival Projects

Guidance on copyright, access rights, and grant compliance for organizations preserving or digitizing historical materials.

Outdoor Recreation & Trail Organizations

Legal help with permits, MOUs, land use issues, and Title 36 compliance for clubs, trail groups, and recreation nonprofits.

Gateway Community & Heritage Tourism Development

Assistance for groups fostering sustainable tourism, historic preservation, and economic development in public land gateway regions.

Citizen Science & Research Partnerships

Legal strategy for data collection, research integrity, and agreements under federal monitoring programs.

Veteran Outdoor Programs & Advocacy

Representation for veterans' service nonprofits delivering recreation, therapy, or conservation services on public lands.

III. Historic, Cultural, and Tribal Resource Protection

Historic & Cultural Preservation Counsel

Support for groups managing historic sites or engaging in interpretive programming under federal preservation laws.

Section 106 or 110 Compliance

Advocacy in federal permitting reviews, including coordination with SHPOs, ACHP, and tribal nations.

Tribal Rights & Indigenous Advocacy

Legal support for Indigenous nonprofits participating in federal consultation or asserting treaty-based protections.

Indian Arts & Crafts Enforcement

Legal support for Native organizations or cultural programs enforcing IACA protections against fraudulent sales or misrepresentation.

IV. Compliance, Governance & Infrastructure

FOIA & Transparency Campaigns

Representation in public records requests and legal strategy for government accountability campaigns.

Federal Labor & Wage Law

Compliance with labor standards under Davis-Bacon, the Service Contract Act, and other federal rules affecting nonprofit service providers.

Administrative Appeals

Representation before agency tribunals like the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA), Forest Service review boards, and others.

Federal Grant Compliance (2 CFR Part 200)

Support for grantees navigating procurement, cost allocation, and audit preparation under the Uniform Guidance.

Ethics & Lobbying Compliance

Legal guidance for nonprofits on IRS, LDA, and conflict-of-interest rules applicable to federal advocacy and operations.

Accessible Infrastructure & Transit Equity

Legal strategy for nonprofits advocating for accessible trails, multimodal visitor access, or inclusive infrastructure planning within national parks or park-adjacent communities

Ready to Do More With Confidence?

If you’ve worked with a federal land management agency before, you know how many layers there are. There are laws, regulations, and internal policies—each with their own acronyms and timelines. You’re trying to meet your mission while also managing reporting requirements, coordinating with agency staff, and making sure every document is right the first time. It’s a lot to juggle, especially if your team is small or volunteer-led.

Legal support shouldn’t be just about checking boxes—it should help you carry out your mission with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re navigating NEPA, managing a grant, partnering with an agency, or defending a site that matters to your community, I work alongside you to help reduce risks and stay focused on what really matters.

My job is to help you spot the challenges before they become problems, give you space to plan with confidence, and make sure your legal obligations don’t hold you back from the work you’re meant to do.

I work with nonprofits, tribal organizations, regional coalitions, and creative public-interest groups navigating these federal systems every day.

If you’re not sure what kind of legal support would be most helpful, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to talk through what you’re working on and help you figure out next steps.

You don’t have to navigate it all alone—I’m here to help when you're ready.

Learn more or get started at www.dcburnettelaw.com

This blog is provided by attorney D.C. Burnette. It does not constitute legal advice and is intended for informational purposes only. Reading this blog or contacting me does not create an attorney-client relationship. Legal services are offered exclusively through the Law Office of D.C. Burnette, PLLC, a Missouri-licensed law firm registered in the State of Tennessee. For full terms and disclosures, please visit the Terms & Conditions