Our work focuses on protecting public conservation lands now and for future generations so they are accessible for everyone to enjoy.

We do this by proactively contributing to legislation, planning and policies around backcountry management and public access for the outdoor community. We work closely with the Department of Conservation, government, iwi, community groups, FMC members, environmental NGOs, and other like-minded organisations.

We encourage FMC members and the wider community to enjoy the backcountry that we work to protect. We support our clubs, members of our community, and outdoor recreation projects through grants, awards, scholarships and discounts—fostering skills, knowledge, and connection within the community. Our membership benefits as well as our various publications and news for members and non-members help keep our community connected and informed.

We have achieved much for the backcountry during almost a century of advocacy. Two recent significant achievements include the creation of Wilderness Areas as a legal classification for land and co-founding the Backcountry Trust, which works to restore New Zealand’s unique network of backcountry huts and tracks.

If you’d like to support the work we do, consider joining us or donate today.