“PAW+” Act Protects Public Lands, Promotes Outdoors Equity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, February 26, 2021
Contact: Ian Brickey (202) 675-6270 or ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
OAK Statement on Passage of Outdoors for All Act in Public Lands Package
“PAW+” Act Protects Public Lands, Promotes Outdoors Equity
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the Outdoors for All Act as part of the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act— a package of conservation bills that will collectively protect public lands and expand nearby nature access across the country. If passed, the Outdoors for All Act would permanently authorize the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program, which is the only program administered by the Department of the Interior to promote the development of equity-focused parks and green space projects in urban communities.
In response, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids Founder & Chair Jackie Ostfeld released the following statement:
“We welcome today’s vote to advance the Outdoors for All Act.
“The benefits of the outdoors, from improving health and wellness to increasing economic activity, are universal. Sadly, access to the outdoors is not. Many kids and families, especially those from low-income communities and Black and brown communities, do not have the same access to parks and green spaces as wealthier and whiter families minutes away. ORLP is essential to addressing that equity gap to ensure all children, regardless of zip code, can benefit from access to the outdoors.
We urge the Senate to act quickly and send it to President Biden’s desk.”
###
About the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK): OAK is a national strategic partnership of organizations from diverse sectors with a common interest in connecting children, youth, and families with the outdoors. The members of OAK are brought together by the belief that the wellness of current and future generations, the health of our planet and communities and the economy of the future depend on humans having a personal, direct, and life-long relationship with nature and the outdoors. OAK brings together more than 100 businesses and organizations to address the growing divide between children, youth, and the outdoors.
Outdoors Alliance for Kids 