Ian Brickey: 314-238-6766, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tonight, the United States Senate passed the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors (AVRO) Act as a provision of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act (H.R.8247), a package of bills addressing healthcare and suicide prevention for veterans. The House of Representatives passed the bill September 23, and it now awaits the president’s signature.
Once signed into law, AVRO would compel the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an interagency task force to make recommendations on identifying barriers preventing veterans from accessing public lands, and fostering opportunities for collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and public lands agencies. Research into the effectiveness of outdoor recreation as therapy shows benefits to mental and physical wellbeing, social function, and outlook on life for veterans recovering from service-related trauma.
In response, Sierra Club Military Outdoors campaign manager Rob Vessels released the following statement:
“Today is a victory for all veterans dealing with service-related trauma, visible and invisible. We’ve long known that the outdoors can be a powerful place for physical and mental healing. For many veterans, the trauma they experienced during their military service does not disappear once their time in service ends. By identifying and eliminating barriers for veterans to access public lands, AVRO will ensure that veterans can heal on the landscapes they served to protect. We thank Rep. Adam Smith, Rep. Roe, Rep. Takano, and especially Rep. Chris Smith for their support.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million 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.