WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) introduced the Every Kid Outdoors Act, legislation that makes National Parks, forests, refuges, and other public lands free to every fourth and fifth grader in America, including their families.
“Every child should have the opportunity to go out in nature—regardless of income or zip code,” said Rep. Ansari. “But too many children, especially in an urban, low-income district like mine, still don’t have access to the outdoors. My bill is a small but mighty step toward equity, health, opportunity, and increased environmental awareness for the next generation.”
Ansari’s Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act is cosponsored by Reps. Becca Balint (VT-AL), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), André Carson (IN-07), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Jared Huffman (CA-02), John Larson (CT-01), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12).
The Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act would:
- Make the Every Kid Outdoors program permanent, predictable, and expand it to students in the fifth grade.
- Provide a free annual pass for fourth and fifth graders, and their families, to access federal lands and waters.
- Ensure agencies coordinate and conduct outreach so families know about and can use this life-changing benefit.
The legislation is endorsed by the Sierra Club and its mission to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment, and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.
“Over the past decade, children across the country have been able to connect with our public lands because of the Every Kid Outdoors program,” said Robert Scott, Deputy Director of Federal Policy with Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign. “The longer it takes for a young person to connect with nature, the less likely they are to ever develop that connection, but early connections with the outdoors are proven to yield better health, education, and wellness outcomes. Extending this program would allow even more families and communities to experience these benefits.”
Bill text HERE.
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