American Hiking Society Celebrates House Passage of EXPLORE Act

SILVER SPRING, MD – April 10, 2024 — Last night, the House of Representatives overwhelming passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act (EXPLORE Act), which will help get people outdoors by modernizing federal recreation systems and eliminate barriers of access to the outdoors. This first-of-its-kind legislation is the result of decades of work by stakeholders and Congress.

We call on the Senate swiftly take-up and pass the EXPLORE Act and send it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

Heather Klein Olson, Executive Director, American Hiking Society, said this about the House of Representatives passage of the bill, “American Hiking Society and the 59 million strong hiking community celebrates the bipartisan passage of the EXPLORE Act by the House of Representatives. We applaud the leadership of Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Grijalva in making outdoor recreation and access a priority! The bill has many provisions that will enhance the experience of hikers and all recreation users, and the inclusion of the Outdoors for All Act and Military and Veterans in Parks are essential components of the bill that will expand outdoor access to all communities, including those most in need of access to green spaces.”

This legislation will include the Outdoors for All Act which expands access to outdoor recreation opportunities in cities and towns, particularly in underserved areas. This has been a legislative priority for American Hiking and the trails community for years.

In addition to the Outdoors for All Act the EXPLORE ACT will:

  • Allow for selling passes and collecting fees online
  • Support youth and veterans
  • Provide flexibility in cross agency outings for outfitters and guides
  • Update infrastructure
  • Break down government silos to address pressing recreation challenges and opportunities
  • Expand parking at highly visited destinations
  • Unify and make data collection consistent
  • Modernize film and photo permitting
  • Create more transparency in processes
  • Improve resources for hunters and anglers
  • Build sustainable local economies

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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.