Representative Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) has introduced legislation providing fourth- and fifth-grade children and their families with free access to America's National Parks.
Specifically, the Every Kid Outdoors Act reauthorizes a program introduced by President Barack Obama in 2015, also named Every Kid Outdoors.
While the January Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, signed by President Joe Biden before he left office, extends the program, Rep. Ansari's bill makes the Every Kid Outdoors program permanent and expands access to fifth-grade students.
"Every child should have the opportunity to go out in nature—regardless of income or zip code," Rep. Ansari said in a statement. "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."
The Every Kid Outdoors Act is sponsored by the Sierra Club, whose Deputy Director of Federal Policy, Robert Scott, praised that "over the past decade, children across the country have been able to connect with our public lands because of the Every Kid Outdoors program." "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," he added.
At the end of August, the Arizona Congresswoman criticized President Donald Trump's efforts to rescind the 2001 "Roadless Rule," which permanently protects approximately 58.5 million acres of woodland, spread across 39 states, from logging and roadbuilding, thereby protecting the habitats of roughly 1,600 species, reducing wildfire risks, and preserving watersheds that provide drinking water to 60 million Americans.
However, the Trump Administration argues that the Roadless Rule has produced more harm than good, saying that its restrictions hinder adequate management of wildfires and impede economic development in these regions.
"The Trump Administration's latest move to roll back the Roadless Rule is a direct attack on our forests, watersheds, and the communities that depend on them," Ansari warned.
