Natasha Blakely, natasha.blakely@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday Reps. Bruce Westerman and Raul Grijalva introduced the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, a House Outdoor Recreation package that includes legislation such as the Military and Veterans in Parks Act.
The Military and Veterans in Parks Act works to promote opportunities and enhance outdoor recreation experiences for veterans and active-duty servicemembers on federal public lands and waters by improving disability access on those lands and includes a jobs pilot program for veterans at the Department of the Interior.
In response, Sierra Club’s Vedia Barnett, senior campaign strategist of Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors campaign, released the following statement:
“As a veteran whose work is so entwined with nature and the outdoors, it is encouraging to see this legislation introduced. Not only could it help more veterans comfortably spend healing time in nature, but this bill also provides pathways to employment for veterans in the outdoors and conservation field. Our veterans and active-duty servicemembers deserve to feel supported for their service, and I look forward to seeing the Military and Veterans in Parks Act in action.”
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.