Photo by Eliza Earle.
Earlier this summer, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). From cuts to agencies that protect and care for our public lands, to rescinding funds for programs that improve nature access across the country, the OBBB threatens everyone’s ability to connect with the outdoors, especially children, youth, and families.
Just weeks after the law’s passage, we’re already starting to see its effects. Here are just a few examples:
- The OBBB rescinded funding from the Inflation Reduction Act that had been specifically set aside to help public land agencies catch up on backlogged work. This funding meant the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service could hire staff to fast-track trail maintenance and conservation projects. Without that funding, that work has slowed down to a crawl, allowing these treasured places to fall into poor, and potentially dangerous conditions.
- Another section of the OBBB requires the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to significantly increase industrial logging on our public lands, damaging the public landscapes so many of us enjoy for recreation.
- Other funding cuts in the OBBB are slashing programs to connect trails for walking and biking, and even programs that improve trails for the mobility-impaired.
That’s what we know is happening, and there are even more questions about what this law is going to lead to on our public lands:
- What will happen to wildland firefighting preparedness? We are seeing a drastic reduction in federal fire personnel, and without the resources to protect historical places, what’s going to be left in parks for future generations?
- Who is swearing in Jr. Rangers? With a reduction in park staff, what youth programs are we going to lose?
- How will the National Park Service uphold its mission to “conserving natural and cultural resources and values … for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations?”
These aren’t the only effects the OBBB will have on our parks and public lands. The Outdoors Alliance for Kids and its members are feeling the impacts of this law, and we are doubling-down on our efforts to ensure that all children across the country are able to get outdoors and access safe, green spaces.