The Sierra Club Military Outdoors campaign released a report surveying the military community’s experiences with the outdoors, including a set of recommendations for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans to improve outdoor accessibility for the veteran and the military community. The report was developed in partnership with the University of Kentucky’s Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky.
Yesterday Reps. Bruce Westerman and Raul Grijalva introduced the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, a House Outdoor Recreation package that includes legislation such as the Military Veterans in Parks Act.
Sierra Club Military Outdoors is launching a listening session series in concert with an online survey to create an opportunity for veterans and active-duty servicemembers to share their needs and experiences, and to help shape future legislation that affects them.
After two years, Sierra Club Military Outdoors is transitioning leadership of the New York Outdoor Rx Coalition to the Sierra Club’s Atlantic Chapter.
Washington, D.C. – The Department of the Interior announced today that the previously publicized lifetime pass for veterans to access federal recreation sites, including the National Parks, will officially be available on Veterans Day.
Denver, COLORADO – Today, the White House announced its newest protected public land, the Camp Hale-Continental
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the launch of the Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans, with the goal of reporting on and making recommendations regarding the use of public lands or other outdoor spaces for medical treatment and therapy for veterans.
For five nights in a row, starting today, National Geographic is airing a PSA from First Lady Jill Biden as part of the White House’s Joining Forces initiative, which supports military families. This PSA serves as a reminder for the military community of their free entry into all national parks.
This week, Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors program will be featured on the latest episode of Tango Alpha Lima – a popular podcast produced by The American Legion. Among the topics covered were nationwide efforts to expand veterans access to nature.
This week, the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and others officially launched the Outdoor Rx Coalition, a first-in-the-nation partnership for improving veterans health through nature-based therapies on public lands and waters. The new partnership will examine barriers preventing New York veterans from accessing public lands and waters to heal from service-related trauma, boost the availability of effective outdoor programs, and facilitate communication between State agencies and the many organizations serving veterans.
On Tuesday, April 26 at 2 p.m. ET, the Outdoor Rx Coalition will host a press conference and webinar on the movement in New York to help veterans heal from service-related trauma on public lands.
On Tuesday April 26, the Outdoor Rx Coalition will host a press conference and webinar on the movement in New York to help veterans heal from service-related trauma on public lands. The event marks the official launch of the Outdoor Rx Coalition, a partnership of nonprofits, Veterans Service Organizations, universities, and others focused on facilitating access to the outdoors and nature therapy for veterans, active duty servicemembers, and military families. As of 2021, more than 714,000 veterans resided in New York State.