Ian Brickey 314-238-6766, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors (AVRO) Act was signed into law as part of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act (H.R.8247), a package of bills addressing healthcare and suicide prevention for veterans.
AVRO compels the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an interagency task force to make recommendations on identifying barriers that prevent veterans from accessing public lands, and fostering opportunities for collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and public lands agencies. Studies on the effectiveness of outdoor recreation as therapy show improvements in mental and physical wellbeing, social function, and outlook on life for veterans recovering from service-related trauma.
In response, Sierra Club Military Outdoors campaign manager Rob Vessels released the following statement:
“This is a victory for military veterans and families. For many veterans, the path towards healing from service-related trauma goes through public lands. Today, that path got a little easier.
“We can celebrate our victory today, but our work does not end here. The outdoors can be a powerful place for healing and respite, and we have high hopes for the task force’s recommendations. This could not have happened without champions in Congress, and we again thank Rep. Adam Smith, Rep. Roe, Rep. Takano, Sen. Cortez-Masto, and especially Rep. Chris Smith for their support today.”
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.