Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org, 804-519-8449
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks will hold a hearing today focused on encouraging the next generation to visit national parks. The hearing comes as park visitation has reached record highs and research is increasingly revealing the importance of spending time outside. It also comes as Congress is considering drastic cuts, recommended by the Trump administration, to youth programs at the National Park Service and across the federal government.
In anticipation, Jackie Ostfeld, associate director for Sierra Club’s Outdoors campaign issued the following statement:
“Today’s young people are growing up indoors, spending less time in nature than any generation in history. All kids and communities deserve access to our country’s parks and open spaces where they can play, learn, get active and benefit from a connection to the natural world. We should be looking for ways to continue and expand programs that ensure the next generation can enjoy and explore the outdoors.
“Low-cost common sense solutions, like the Every Kid in a Park program encourage kids to visit our national public lands by giving fourth graders and their families a free access pass. The 21st Century Conservation Service Corps provides skills, training, and employment opportunities for youth and young veterans who want to continue their service by protecting our shared outdoor spaces. These programs and others support the $887 billion outdoor economy and should be continued and strengthened. Congress should pass the bipartisan Every Kid Outdoors and 21st Century Service Corps acts without delay."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, 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.