About the Sagebrush Institute

Conservative stewardship for America’s land

The Sagebrush Institute is an unapologetically conservative 501(c)(4) nonprofit created by hunters, ranchers, veterans, and outdoor professionals who believe conservation is a patriotic duty. We fight to ensure that environmental, energy, and land policy in the United States always has a clear conservative voice that balances responsible use with lasting stewardship.

Formed in the wake of a hard-won public-land fight, the Institute exists because we learned that victories are temporary unless backed by a durable, values-driven institution. We built Sagebrush to be that institution. Far from Washington and shielded from big-donor strings—we do not accept major gifts that could compromise our independence or values, and are committed to unprecedented financial transparency—we work to ensure a permanent conservative seat at every table where America’s land, water, and energy future is decided.

Our Mission

Advance conservative stewardship of America’s lands through principled advocacy, practical policy solutions, and a grassroots membership that puts America first.

Why We Exist

Preserve an uncompromised conservative voice in every land, energy, and environmental debate.
Hand the microphone to people who work the land far beyond the Beltway echo chamber: ranchers, hunters, loggers, drillers.
Build a community of principled, talented advocates ready to defend America’s resources with facts and tenacity.
Advance practical, forward-looking policy that strengthens the nation while safeguarding the ground beneath our feet.

What We Do

Rapid-response advocacy ― we counter misleading narratives with full-spectrum digital media outreach.
Legislative testimony ― our expert council will speak in statehouses and Congress when public access or habitat is at risk.
Member mobilization ― supporters receive action alerts, town-hall invites, and tools to hold policymakers accountable.

Leadership

Braxton McCoy – President & Chairman of the Board
Braxton McCoy is a decorated U.S. Army veteran (Ret.) severely wounded in Iraq in 2006, earning the Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal with V Device for valor. After extensive recovery and advocacy for wounded warriors, including founding and leading a Veteran employment nonprofit, he now focuses on training horses, writing (including his book "The Glass Factory"), speaking on resilience, and pursuing backcountry hunting and fishing.
Dr. Kelly Heber Dunning - Board Member
Dr. Kelly Heber Dunning is the Timberline Professor of Sustainable Outdoor Recreation at the University of Wyoming and Principal Scientist at the Wildlife & Wilderness Recreation Lab. Holding a PhD from MIT, MS from Oxford, and BA from the University of Florida, her research—funded by NSF, NOAA, and NASEM—emphasizes participatory ecosystem management, inclusive outdoor recreation, and biodiversity conservation, including recent NSF grants for trout studies in Colorado and Wyoming, two books on coral reefs, and global collaborations with stakeholders like ranchers and outfitters.
Daniel Morris - Board Member
Daniel Morris is a 10-year U.S. Air Force veteran with proven leadership in natural resources management, wildlife policy, and multimillion-dollar project oversight in challenging environments. From conflict zones to disaster recovery operations with Team Rubicon, he has spent time with a federal natural resources agency, researcher at Auburn University, lab technician, and supply chain specialist in energy sectors.
Daniel Webb - Board Member
Daniel Webb is a Process Engineer at a major semiconductor manufacturing firm with nearly 10 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, including roles in manufacturing and operations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Portland State University and an Associate of Science in Chemistry from Mt. Hood Community College. An Army veteran, Daniel served for over seven years as a Forward Observer and Fire Support NCO.
Philip Reichert – Executive Director
Philip Reichert is a veteran intelligence analyst, journalist, and political communicator with experience in the U.S. Army and Space Force, producing at Fox News, leading southern grassroots for the American Conservation Coalition, and serving as Communications Director for a high profile member of the Texas House. He is the Editor and Executive Director of a media outlet in San Antonio and has been published in Newsweek, The Federalist, The Dispatch, and others.

Additional board members, including foresters, range scientists, and energy experts have been identified and will be onboarding over time.

Join Us

With us you can stand with thousands of like-minded Americans who refuse to let our public lands be carved up or closed off. Sign up, stay informed, and help us keep the West in public hands.