The United States is a beautiful country. From the lush forests of the Highlands to the jagged rim of the Grand Canyon, we are blessed with breathtaking open spaces.

We are able to enjoy these places today because people who came before us recognized that there are some places that should remain natural, that should be left as they are for future generations to enjoy. Thanks to them, we can still find peace in the quiet of a forest or meditate in humble silence at the edge of the Grand Canyon.

Places of great natural beauty are worth protecting. But in many places it's not only the scenic resource values that are at risk. For example, in the New Jersey Highlands, the Preservation Area—a 415,000-acre forest of incomparable natural beauty—acts as a huge, natural and free water filtration system, providing 70% of New Jersey's population with an abundant supply of low cost, clean, drinking water.

Sadly, not everyone recognizes the value of open space. These are the people who think we should open dirty and dangerous uranium mines around the Grand Canyon or place the Highlands water supply at risk solely to benefit private development interests.

We know shortsighted projects that threaten our natural heritage aren’t worth the risk. That’s why Environment New Jersey, the New Jersey Sierra Club, and the New Jersey Highlands Coalition are coming together to call on our elected officials to protect beautiful areas in New Jersey and across the United States.

The Hike for Our Future will begin with statements from each of the sponsoring organizations. After that, there will be time for attendees to engage in meaningful grassroots activism by signing petitions, taking photo petitions, and calling the White House and other key decision-makers in New Jersey. We’ll conclude the day with a hike through Allamuchy Mountain State Park, where we’ll see an old uranium mine that was shut down thanks to activism just like this.

Open spaces here in New Jersey and across the United States are special and deserve protection. In the past we had the foresight to preserve them, let’s make sure we keep them safe for future generations to enjoy.