American Hiking Society Applauds Bipartisan Introduction of the America the Beautiful Act, Legislation to Extend National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund

SILVER SPRING, MD — May 2, 2025 — American Hiking Society and the 59 million-strong hiking community applaud the bipartisan leadership of U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Sheehy (R-WY), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) for introducing the America the Beautiful for All Act, which would extend the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) for an additional eight years.

“American Hiking Society and the hiking community applaud the introduction of legislation by Senator Daines and Senator King to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund,” said Heather Klein Olson, Executive Director of American Hiking Society. “This legislation will continue the success of the program, which has restored access to our public lands across 1,500 projects, generated $4.5 billion in economic impact, and supports 20,000 jobs annually. The Legacy Restoration Fund both enhances the hiking experience across public lands and drives economic growth. It’s a win for all.”

This critical bill would extend the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund for an additional eight years. In 2020, Congress passed and the President signed into law landmark legislation creating this program that unlocked a new way to address the extensive backlog of maintenance across our public lands. This backlog resulted in cut off access to trails, visitor centers, campgrounds, roads, and other critical resources that are needed to ensure that everyone has access to our nation’s public lands.

Over the last five years, the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), across 1,500 projects and 11,300 improved assets, the LRF is setting out to accomplish what Congress intended it to do. The work can’t stop here though and this critical program needs to continue!

American Hiking Society encourages hikers, trail users, and all who care about public lands to urge their senators to co-sponsor the America the Beautiful for All Act. Take action here.

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Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering all to enjoy, share, and preserve the hiking experience. To learn more about American Hiking Society and its mission and programs, visit americanhiking.org.