Ian Brickey (202) 675-6270 or ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
ALBANY -- The New York State Assembly unanimously passed the Outdoor Rx Act on February 13, 2020. The bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Didi Barrett (D-106), would lower barriers for veterans to access New York State’s beautiful outdoor spaces. The bill now moves to the New York State Senate for final approval before moving to the desk of Governor Andrew Cuomo (D).
In response, Sierra Club Military Outdoors Campaign Manager Rob Vessels released the following statement:
“Access to nature is a human right, and there are clear physical and mental benefits to outdoor experiences. There are 20 million veterans in the U.S., but only a tiny fraction of them get to experience the outdoors.
“With the Outdoor Rx Act, New York State can be a model for other states on access to nature and better collaboration between state agencies and organizations like Sierra Club that offer nature-based outdoor programs. Now it is up to the State Senate to pass this bill to ensure veterans can experience the state’s precious outdoor spaces.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.