Vision
“The goal is to grow the recreation economy of all recreation. So hikers, bikers, ridingers, hunters, anglers, skiers, snowmobile, boats and passengers -we are seeing what we all agree. And we all agree with the approach for everyone. ”
-JESSICA TURNER
spotlight
In today’s political environment, it is not related to climate and environmental equality, but also not only gaining support. But just before the end of the year, one of the final acts of the 118th US Congress was to pass the exploration method. that Useless legislation It includes measures to develop new long -range bicycle trails, improve outdoor access to veterans and disabled people, and to solve the lack of housing and other tensions of outdoor gateway communities. And it passed the House of Representatives and the Senate with unanimous approval.
Bruce Westerman, the Republican Republic of Arkansas, chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, said, “This bill is an undefeated champion in Congress. “I show ways to unite outdoor recreational interests, various worldviews and many priority people.”
The Explore Act, which interferes with the expansion of public land’s outdoor recreation experience, has been supported by hundreds of outdoor advocacy groups, and it has gained 51 co -sponsors from the House of Representatives, including the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
“This is a place that is quite unique in our current environment. It seems to be supported a lot.” Connect more people outdoors.
The aisle support for outdoor approaches goes back to decades. Another bill, Great American Outdoors Act, received the majority of passes in 2020 and signed by President Donald Trump during his first term. Private funding to solve the back log of the maintenance project in the national park -also permanently Land and Water Resources Conservation FundDue to the widespread popularity of the national park, it was passed with the party support in 1964.
The story is similar at the state and regional level. Hauser pointed out that in addition to federal laws such as Explore Act, trust in public land is focused on helping the community across the United States. Voting From creating a new green space in relation to preservation to river protection and forest fires, it reaches forest fires. Hauser said, “We worked in 23 people in the November ballot site, that is, small communities, large communities, rural, cities, red, and blue. “All 23 of them have passed.”
It’s hard to say exactly an outdoor approach into a problem that can exceed political division. Outdoor recreation $ 1 trillion industryIncludes more than 5 million jobs. The economic power provides political influence on the industry. But the core of this problem can be more related to emotions than numbers. Jessica Turner, an outdoor recreational association and an union of outdoor recreational trade associations and organizations, said, “I think that a person who has experienced externally felt it in his life.
The emotional connection was the core for many people gathered behind this bill. Westerman said he had a lot of time as “grew up outdoors,” as much as he could do activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking and mountain bicycles. Hauser pointed out that she grew up next to the Grand Canyon and enjoyed the wonder and surrounding national forests as a big outdoor playground. She led her current career as an outdoor advocacy group and thinks it is the result of a “entire circle” of the connection that was injected into her from a very young age.
For example, there are definitely some aspects of outdoor recreation and preservation that other stakeholders can prioritize. For example, it is easy to imagine a place where hunters and anglers can collide with wildlife conservatives. Turner, however, said that the exploration method has expanded enough to show a wide range of appeals.
“We are not talking about this place. This trail is not guarded by riding riders and riding an electronic bike. ” “We are talking about the entire ecosystem, and we are talking about public lands, clean water, and children can ride traces of bicycles as I rode,” she said. “A person who does not agree is really far away. I didn’t meet them. ”
The outdoor recreational round table held a reception to celebrate the success of the exploration last week, and Turner explained how important it is among the members of the event, as well as a variety of preservation and outdoor recreation groups and companies. Room together. “When you do a big tent, everyone feels like you’re in place,” she said.
This is a place where people who work outdoor approaches see opportunities for related issues such as climate and justice. The biggest tent, a good future for humanity, is no one to oppose. And the best way to bring more people is to talk about people’s living experiences and emotional relationships.
“Climate change is politically divided,” said Mike bybee, chief director of the federal relations of public land. “Unplacement is the influence of things like floods, fires, droughts and heat.” They are a real reality that people can see and feel where people live, and BYBEE is a work to develop green infrastructure that protects open spaces, creates parks and playgrounds, and protects the extreme undeniable reality of new weather. . Everyone can agree, whether or not it is a climate solution or not. BYBEE, which follows the progress of the search ACT in DC, said, “This problem is a non -party in outdoor recreation and access to nature.
This law was actually an item package, including more than 12 measures sponsored by various representatives and senators. Bybee is a trust in public land Outdoor for all actionsmeasurement Outdoor Recreation Legacy PartnershipSubsidy program for developing and improving parks in the marginalized community. The outdoor of all ACTs has expanded the qualification of the subsidy program, including the first qualification of indigenous tribes.
The bill also included a lot of funds, such as improving the permission procedure of guides and clothes, and not sexy things, such as improving trail heads and feet toilets. Although it may not be interested, it is an example of a facility that can make a real difference in the type of government service that interacts when many people visit public places and the outdoor recreation experience of people.
Nevertheless, despite the unanimous support of the law, the recent confusion of the Federal Fund -Trump administration threatens to freeze federal subsidies and other programs, and ELON Musk’s new government efficiency department Rocket to reduce spending -Creave doubts about the future for the accessible facilities and new parks in the marginalized areas.
Bybee said, “The uncertainty we found ourselves at this moment affects implementation. “It affects the federal partner of the national park service that manages this subsidy.” In addition to concerns about the future of the Federal Fund It will affect the employees of the national parkIt can have a big impact on visitors. But despite uncertainty, BYBEE is convinced that programs such as outdoor recreational legacy partnerships will not go anywhere. “It was enacted by parliament, and it won’t go away without another act of parliament,” he said. “We must make the promised benefits to the community.”
Hauser and Westerman reflect that confidence. Hauser said, “People are interested in this place. “Our elected representatives know that this is important and actually universal.”
It does not mean that politics never interferes. Hauser also mentioned that despite overwhelming support, the exploration method was considered by the Senate for a year after passing the House of Representatives in April and the 2024 elections dominated the hearts of everyone.
“I think that I have been sitting for a long time as I did in the Senate. She said. But she added that the passage of the exploration method for 11 hours convey a clear message. He added that it is a clear message that lawmakers can overcome political divisions when they recognize the opportunity to improve the life of the constituency. “I accept the pressure in the election season and think people know. This is really good for our community and region.”
-Clair Ellis Thompson
More exposure
Breakup shot
In 2022, Grist’s team dedicated the overall special issue outdoors. This center was an interactive project that shows some formative outdoor experiences that inspire leaders to pursue their career in climate and conservation. In the form of postcards, the contributors talked about natural memories (positive and challenging), such as Debbie Njai, the founder of the black man who depicts the first hiking experience in Missouri. Mile hiking, but it was so perfect. Sunlight of the skin, the wind of the hair. I remember the free and happy feeling. … When everyone can experience the same love for outdoor, we will see a change in how to care for the environment. ”
