More than 100 million Americans watched the Super Bowl clash between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers but they may not realize there’s an even bigger battle they should tune into this month – the fight over federal spending that could decimate pristine forests, pollute our air and water, close national parks and more.

It might have been a cold, rainy few days in Hartford, Connecticut, but inside the Land Trust Alliance Rally’s convention center people from all across the nation and world were full of energy and enthusiasm. Participating in seminars covering every conceivable topic related to land protection as well as visiting diverse exhibitor tables, people were abuzz with new ideas for saving and protecting our land and water.

Rain was pouring down around my green car as a couple of my friends and I traveled up an endless forest road to the Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest. Behind us, an unmarked white vehicle had been following us for what seemed to be 10 miles. Nervousness abounded because the weather was quickly deteriorating. Visibility became so poor that I stopped the car and carefully approached the white truck behind us.

A group of scientists a few weeks ago came out with a report that further supported what we have all already known—New England’s forests need to be protected and they need to be protected now.

In one of the most densely populated states in America, a case can be made that the people of Connecticut should have a little breathing room. To the date, over 7,000 acres have already been preserved in the highly valued highlands of the Northeast, and because of this, people all over New England breathe cleaner air and drink cleaner water.