Billy Berler, billy.berler@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC — Sierra Club celebrates Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of California’s Outdoors for All Act, SB 1268, and calls for greater federal investment to expand outdoor access nationwide. Authored by Senator Lena Gonzalez, the legislation establishes California’s Outdoors for All initiative in state law, making equitable access to parks and nature a lasting state commitment.
The law builds on California’s efforts to address barriers that keep many residents from spending time outdoors, including the lack of nearby parks and the cost of reaching them. It requires the California Natural Resources Agency to implement the state’s Outdoors for All Strategy and ensure conservation strategies expand access and benefits for disadvantaged and low-income communities.
“This is a major victory for Californians and for the community advocates who have worked for years to expand access to the outdoors,” said Jackie Ostfeld, director of Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign. “Congress and the administration must build on this momentum with sustained investment in parks and outdoor access so more families across the country can experience the benefits of time in nature.”
“SB 1268 recognizes the reality that access to nature isn’t only about parks. We need to ensure we’re creating opportunities to inspire future generations to love, protect, and fight for our natural world,” said Mercedes Macias, Senior Policy Strategist at Sierra Club California. “Conservation is a personal experience for me. I grew up in a low-income rural community, and my first visits to California’s outdoors came through the efforts of a Sierra Club volunteer leader who was also my childhood teacher. Those experiences helped shape who I am and ultimately led me to a career as a conservation advocate. I’m proud to see California make Outdoors for All a lasting commitment.”
Sierra Club calls on federal leaders to build on these achievements by increasing investment in community parks and ensuring agencies have the resources and staff to implement outdoor access programs. These investments should reach communities that have long lacked adequate access to safe, affordable places to spend time outdoors.
Sierra Club applauds Senator Gonzalez, Governor Newsom, and the California organizations and community advocates who helped secure this victory and advance the nationwide movement for Outdoors for All.
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.