Bill will expand outdoor recreational opportunities in low-income communities in Maine.
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Alex Padilla (D-CA) announced that the Senate unanimously passed their bipartisan Outdoors for All Act, legislation that will expand outdoor recreational opportunities in low-income communities across the nation. The bill passed today as part of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, which previously passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the President desk to be signed into law.
“Our state is fortunate to have abundant natural resources that allow Mainers and visitors to enjoy our pristine environment,” said Senator Collins. “However, many Americans, particularly those living in urban and low-income areas, lack access to outdoor green spaces that give them the ability to experience the beauty of nature close to home. The bipartisan Outdoors for All Act will invest in these communities to support parks, playgrounds, trails, and other projects to help ensure Americans have outdoor recreation opportunities.”
“Everyone deserves access to the outdoors regardless of where they live. Having grown up in Los Angeles, I’ve seen firsthand how urban and low-income communities often lack access to adequate park space,” said Senator Padilla. “The Outdoors for All Act will invest in new parks and open spaces — and upgrade existing ones — to bring critical natural benefits like shade, tree cover, and cleaner air to urban neighborhoods.”
“We are thrilled to see the outdoors bring people together and showcase the broad, bipartisan support for more recreation access,” said Nicole Zussman, President and CEO of the Appalachian Mountain Club. “Passage of the EXPLORE Act through Congress, including the Outdoors for All Act, is a major victory for our collective work to foster equity in the outdoors and facilitate joyous, meaningful outdoor experiences. We are especially grateful to Senator Susan Collins for her leadership on the issue, including her co-sponsorship of the Outdoors for All Act. Outdoor recreation contributes $3 billion each year to Maine’s economy, and the Outdoors for All Act will help even more Mainers enjoy the physical, social, and mental benefits of recreating outside.”
“The passage of the EXPLORE Act is a pivotal achievement for outdoor recreation in Maine and across the country,” said Jenny Kordick, Executive Director of Maine Outdoor Brands. “This legislation will ensure outdoor spaces are welcoming and accessible to all, while bolstering Maine’s $3.4 billion outdoor recreation industry, supporting jobs, and driving economic growth in communities across our state. We are especially grateful for Senator Collins’ leadership in championing the Outdoors for All Act, which is included in this legislation and will expand opportunities for everyone to connect with nature, fostering healthier communities and a stronger appreciation for Maine’s incredible outdoor heritage.”
“The unanimous passage of the Outdoors for All Act in the Senate marks a historic milestone in expanding outdoor access for all Americans,” said Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, President and CEO of Trust for Public Land. “As one of Congress’ final acts of 2024, this bipartisan achievement underscores the vital role parks and green spaces play in uniting us. For the first time, this legislation ensures that tribal nations can directly access funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, while also providing essential resources to underserved urban communities. With this measure now heading to the President’s desk, we are one step closer to making the benefits and joys of the outdoors a reality for every community — regardless of location or income. The Outdoors for All Act wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of Senators Alex Padilla and Susan Collins and Representatives Nanette Barragán and Mike Turner. We applaud their bipartisan efforts to prioritize equitable park access, and we look forward to working with communities across the country to bring this transformative legislation to life.”
The Outdoors for All Act codifies the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program in federal law. ORLP improves and funds new trails, green spaces, playgrounds, and cultural gathering spaces in underserved communities. As our cities grow and the effects of climate change intensify, the Outdoors for All Act would promote equitable access to the benefits of local parks — from job creation, to shade and tree cover, to clean air.
Congress established the ORLP program in 2014 to support urban parks in underserved communities across the country. It is administered by the National Park Service and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) as a nationally competitive grant program to increase access to the outdoors for disadvantaged communities. While LWCF is a popular program with strong bipartisan support and mandatory funding, ORLP still remains a discretionary grant program, which jeopardizes funding for underserved communities who lack access to outdoor recreation.
The Outdoors for All Act has been endorsed by organizations including The Wilderness Society, KABOOM!, Sierra Club, Trust for Public Lands, National Recreation and Park Association, City Parks Alliance, National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers (NASORLO), National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD), LWCF Coalition, Outdoor Industry Association, REI Co-op, Latino Outdoors, Kids Speak for Parks, Safe Routes Partnership, National League of Cities, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, American Heart Association, American Forrest, American Hiking Society, Outdoor Alliance for Kids (OAK), Vista Outdoor, PeopleForBikes, and Children and Nature Network.
The bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
The complete text of the Outdoors for All Act can be read here.
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