Every Kid Outdoors is a federal program that provides free access to national parks for fourth graders and their families. Yet, many Wisconsinites do not live near a national park, which makes it difficult for families to enjoy the Every Kid Outdoors initiative. The Every Kid Outdoors Act is a proposed bill that allows the DNR to accept the Every Kid Outdoors pass at Wisconsin State parks, which will increase access to green spaces for kids in our state, improving physical health, mental health, education and love for the outdoors in our children.
For many Wisconsinites, conservation begins at home. Our state parks are vast, awe-inspiring, and are a vital part of our state’s tourism economy; income and transportation constraints should not prevent children and their families from enjoying Wisconsin state parks.
From Big Foot Beach State Park in South Wisconsin to Big Bay State Park in the Northernmost part of the state, Wisconsin is home to 66 state parks scattered throughout our state.
Two Sierra Club volunteers, Char Arner and Maureen McCoy, took the time to answer some common questions about the Every Kid Outdoors Act.
What is the Every Kid Outdoors Act?
Char:
“It would provide free access to Wisconsin State Parks for 4th graders and their families by building on the Every Kid Outdoors program for National Parks. The current Every Kid Outdoors program, which began in 2015 under the Obama administration, gives 4th graders and their families free access to National Parks for a full year. The Wisconsin bill would allow any family with a 4th grader that has a pass under the EKO program to a National Park to have free access to the Wisconsin State Parks.”
Maureen:
“The Every Kid Outdoors program focuses on children 10 years of age based on research that indicates children ages 9-11 are at a unique developmental stage in their learning where they are more receptive to engaging with nature and the environment. By focusing on this age group year after year, the program aims to ensure every child in the United States has the opportunity to visit their federal lands and waters by the time he or she is 11 years old, establishing a lifelong connection to enjoy and protect our American outdoor heritage. We want to increase this opportunity by making our beautiful Wisconsin State Parks available to 4th graders and their families.
As a grandparent of a 10-year-old, I can vouch for how very observant he is of nature and all the adventure it offers him! As a single parent, I took my two children to many national parks and they often reminisce about those trips. Both are now avid outdoors people. I would venture to say that cost is far outweighed by the priceless opportunities for children to enjoy the outdoors.”
What Makes the Every Kid Outdoors Act so important?
Char:
“Very few Wisconsin families live near a National Park so it is very difficult to participate in this opportunity. Also, it would be beneficial for residents of Wisconsin to explore their own state parks to understand the landscape and nature in their own area. Making this opportunity free of charge to 4th graders and their families will encourage others to experience our great outdoors and foster a lifelong engagement with nature.”
Maureen:
“There is widespread support for this program in Wisconsin. 92% of Wisconsin Conservation Congress voters showed support for this resolution in December, 2020.
In Wisconsin, the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) for 2019-2023 indicates that 95% of residents participate in some form of outdoor recreation and that 60% of residents rely on public lands and waters mostly or entirely when participating in their favorite outdoor activity.”
What will the impacts be if this bill passes?
Char:
“Economy - I think there is a concern among some legislators about the cost of this program; i.e. how much money will we lose by passing this bill? How much revenue will we give up if we approve free access to state parks to 4th grade families? As in how many more families will start using the parks and how much revenue are we giving up? My opinion is that the biggest cost to the state would be the amount of revenue we currently receive from 4th grade families that purchase state park stickers/fees. They will no longer need to purchase them. I don't have those figures, but any increase in attendance would be people who wouldn't have purchased tickets anyway so that's only a hypothetical revenue source. I do agree that there could be some additional "wear and tear" in the parks that would be a cost to the state.
Any additional state park traffic from allowing more access will benefit communities located near those state parks.
For kids - Connecting with nature cannot be overestimated. I can say from my personal experience growing up that a connection with nature in my neighborhood, county and state parks, and beyond have given me a gift of mental solace and a sense of adventure that I find hard to describe. Kids need to be in the great outdoors to experience the wonder of nature and the wonder of themselves!”
What else is important to know?
Maureen:
“I recently testified at the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation. There was a very positive response and we (Sierra Club) are hopeful that Assembly Bill 375 will be passed. There are 11 Assembly sponsors and two Senate sponsors. We are waiting for the next step in the voting process.
There are several other states that have begun accepting the national pass at state parks (Idaho, Maryland, New York, Nevada, and New Mexico). We can learn from these states how to implement the program. Other states that have free state parks (Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Montana, Pennsylvania) already support this important way for children to connect with the outdoors.”
Send a message asking your legislator to support the opportunity for children to have increased access to outdoor recreation in our state!
Written by Will Keenan, Sierra Club Legislative and Electoral Project Aide, with input from Char Arner and Maureen McCoy, Lands Team members.