WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act. The historic bill permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund, guaranteeing $900 million annually for the improvement of our parks. It also provides $9.5 billion over five years to address the nearly $12 billion backlog of maintenance projects across national parks and public lands.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, July 21, the House of Representatives voted to approve the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, this year’s $740 billion annual military spending bill. A provision within this year’s NDAA requires the Pentagon to change the names of ten military installations currently named after Confederate military leaders within three years. It would also remove Confederate likenesses, symbols and paraphernalia from defense facilities nationwide within the same timeframe.
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held a hearing on the Outdoors for All Act, sponsored by Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) today, February 27, 2020. The important bipartisan bill would help communities around the country construct and improve parks and other outdoor recreational spaces, particularly in underserved communities that lack access to outdoor recreation areas. Witnesses included Allegra “Happy” Haynes, Executive Director of the Denver Department of Parks and Recreation and Denver Deputy Mayor.
Washington, D.C.– The U.S. Senate voted to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) as part of the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47). The bill now moves on to the House of Representatives.
Washington, D.C.– Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed the Every Kid Outdoors Act as part of the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47). The bill now moves on to the House of Representative for House consideration.
Washington, D.C. -- Today, Senator Kamala Harris introduced the Outdoors for All Act, which is the Senate version of the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership bill introduced last year by Representative Nanette Diaz Barragan (CA-44) and Representative Mike Turner (OH-10). Outdoors for All would create a dedicated funding source for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP), which was established by Congress in 2014 and provides competitive grants to communities that lack outdoor recreation spaces to build parks and outdoor recreation facilities.
Washington, D.C.– Today, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids and other organizations sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke asking him to protect a program called Every Kid in a Park. Reports indicate that the program is in jeopardy, so organizations are speaking out. Every Kid in a Park allows every fourth grader in the U.S.
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the Sierra Club announced that Jackie Ostfeld will serve as the new director of its campaign to ensure access to the outdoors for all. Under her leadership Sierra Club Outdoors will deepen its advocacy for equitable access to nature for kids and communities, facilitate outings for all people, including members of the military and veteran community, and work to support community-driven conservation at the local level to ensure all people can explore and enjoy the outdoors.
Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Department of the Interior has extended the comment period for the public to weigh in on proposed rate hikes. The move comes amidst widespread opposition to the fee increases. At an event this morning, park advocates delivered more than 150,000 comments against the proposal, which would raise entry fees at 17 of the most popular national parks across the country, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Shenandoah.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As the conservation of and access to public lands comes under threat nationally, the Sierra Club announced today it will be expanding its work locally to connect people with nature through a number of local projects. The projects span the country and focus on breaking down barriers that prevent people from experiencing the outdoors.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks will hold a hearing today focused on encouraging the next generation to visit national parks.