Biden Signs EXPLORE Act Into Law

Sweeping Outdoor Recreation Package Expands Nature Access for Veterans and Youth

January 7, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Yesterday, President Biden signed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act into law.

The legislation, which passed unanimously in both the House of Representatives and Senate includes much-needed provisions to expand equitable and inclusive access to the outdoors for veterans, youth, and communities across the country.

The EXPLORE Act includes:

• The Outdoors For All Act,which authorizes the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program, to help economically disadvantaged communities with limited access to public outdoor recreation spaces.
• The Military and Veterans in Parks Act,which promotes opportunities and enhances outdoor recreation experiences for veterans and active duty servicemembers on federal lands and waters.
• The Every Kid Outdoorsprogram, which provides all fourth graders and their families free access to over 2,000 federally-managed parks, lands and waters.
• The Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act,which simplifies and streamlines permitting processes for guides, outfitters, outdoor leaders, and nonprofit organizations.

In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous released the following statement:

"America's lands and waters heal us, they bring us joy, and they connect us all. No matter how divided our country may appear, the power of nature will always prove to be a unifying force. Now, thanks to champions on both sides of the aisle, more veterans and young people across the country can experience the awesome might of nature. The EXPLORE Act will improve the quality of life for communities across the country, and we thank the champions who worked tirelessly to make this day happen."

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.

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