State Legislators Working to Improve Outdoor Access & Equity
Explore how NCEL's Outdoor Working Group is making the outdoors more accessible for all.
Overview
In recent years, more U.S. states have been advancing policies to increase outdoor engagement due to the many benefits time outside provides, such as improved physical and mental health, a heightened sense of environmental stewardship, and support for local economies. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how spending time in nature can positively impact our health, but it has also underscored the disparities that exist when it comes to accessing nature. Communities of color and low-income families are the most likely to live in nature-deprived areas which further compounds social and health disparities, and exemplifies a long history of environmental racism.
This resource looks at the ways state legislators throughout the country are working to not only increase outdoor access, but to do so in ways that center Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Folx' of Color unique priorities. Keep scrolling to learn more about the Outdoor Working Group at the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators and their work to make the Great American Outdoors more inclusive and equitable.
NCEL's Outdoor Working Group
NCEL's Outdoor Working Group is comprised of legislators from throughout the country who are dedicated to increasing and improving equitable access to the great outdoors.
Established in 2020, the Outdoor Working Group seeks to provide a more direct connection between lawmakers from multiple states pursuing outdoor engagement policy ideas and solutions. More than 20 legislators from 16 states have participated in the working group to date, with regular meetings and resource sharing which has directly led to new learning and policy opportunities across the country.
The map to the right shows the locations of all Working Group members highlighted in this resource.
NCEL Legislators Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day in 2021.
Why Outside?
A Tour Around the Country
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A Tour Around the Country: How Working Group Members Are Advancing Equitable Outdoor Engagement
The Outdoor Working Group is comprised of members from a diverse range of districts and states, each with their own unique constituencies and stakeholders. We asked working group members to share why outdoor engagement is important to them and the work they are doing to make the outdoors more accessible and inclusive. Scroll through the map below to learn more.
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Leslie Herod - Colorado State Representative
Favorite outdoor activity: Fishing and camping. I love to spend time with family and just get away from it all.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? I sponsored and passed a bill to create the Outdoor Equity Program in Colorado ( HB21-1318 ) to increase equitable access to the great outdoors. Spending time outdoors improves children's health and cognitive functions, reduces stress, and enhances social skills. Students who spend time outdoors tend to perform better on standardized tests, demonstrate more enthusiasm toward school, and have fewer attendance problems. The bill created the Outdoor Equity Grant Program . These grants support organizations who are striving to promote equitable access to the outdoors. This program helps to remove exclusionary barriers, connect people to Colorado's great outdoors, improve public health, and boost educational outcomes and support for our state’s land conservation.
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Angelica Rubio - New Mexico State Representative
Favorite outdoor activity: I have been cycling for close to 5 years, and while I enjoy the bike for all of its intended purposes, it's the healing of mental health that has been its greatest attribute.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? I championed the first-ever of its kind, the New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund ( S.B. 462 ) which works to not only promote the outdoors but more importantly, develop a new generation of stewards of the land, focusing on youth and breaking the barriers of privilege that exist within the outdoors. I also chair the committee on Transportation, Public Works, and Capital Improvements, working to dismantle the emphasis and prioritization of building roads for personal vehicle use, and instead champion ideas of equity and access to public transportation, and a broad range of infrastructure needs that are both sustainable and climate-resilient. I ride my bike from Las Cruces to Santa Fe every year, hosting town halls along the way -- in the hopes of connecting southern New Mexico to its state capital.
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Steve Yeager - Nevada State Assemblyman
Favorite outdoor activity: Trail running (especially in the mountains) because it is an amazing way to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and to explore some of nature's more remote areas.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? I am proud to have sponsored and supported legislation to increase outdoor engagement in the great state of Nevada. Those efforts include creating and funding a Division of Outdoor Recreation , designating September 25th as Public Lands Day, establishing a Dark Sky Designation program, providing every 5th grader with free entry into all of our 23 state parks, and creating a micro-grant program to help get students outside. In addition, I created a blog to detail some of my more memorable fitness adventures to hopefully inspire others to get outside and be active because every journey starts with a single step. The blog can be found at: battlebornrunning.com
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Ken Helm - Oregon State Representative
Favorite outdoor activity: Fly fishing.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? First elected in 2014, I have worked hard to foster greater engagement and inclusivity in Oregon’s outdoors, and to protect the state’s natural resources and outdoor experiences for future generations. Within this work, I Chief Sponsored legislation establishing Oregon’s Office of Outdoor Recreation and championed the creation of the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund .
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Christine Rolfes - Washington State Senator
Favorite outdoor activity: I live in the Pacific Northwest because I LOVE to be outside, whether on land or on the water, particularly in any of America’s National Parks.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? In the Washington State legislature, I have been a champion for helping others enjoy the great outdoors by supporting funding for land and forest conservation projects; rebuilding our salmon populations and protecting endangered species like the Orca Whale; and expanding outdoor learning programs like No Child Left Inside .
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Geran Tarr - Alaska State Representative
Favorite outdoor activity: As a botanist, it may come as no surprise that my favorite activity is learning all the new plants when I go somewhere. Learning about the new plants takes you to so many different places and guarantees that you will want to explore areas that are off the beaten path - it’s a perfect gateway into the wilderness!
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? Alaska is an incredible place to live and we are blessed to have unlimited outdoor activities. We know accessing the outdoors is good for our mental and physical health and the abundant opportunities across our state are also key drivers that are good for our economy and sustainable economic development. As a committee chair, we held committee hearings on the economic value of the adventure tourism industry and the tremendous value of our public lands. We worked to build coalitions of Alaskans that would support these efforts and investments. We’ve also worked to make those activities and opportunities available to more Alaskans by promoting equity-based funding opportunities and inclusive designs.
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Jamie Becker Finn - Minnesota State Representative
Favorite outdoor activity: Hunting and fishing with my kids because it connects us to the natural world and our traditions as Ojibwe people.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? Four years ago I first authored Minnesota's No Child Left Inside state grant program. The program has been incredibly received by communities throughout our state, with kids of all ages accessing opportunities to meaningfully engage with the outdoors. People fight to protect what they know and love. Together with our local partners we are instilling that love and connection to the outdoors in future generations.
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Andre Jacque - Wisconsin State Senator
Favorite outdoor activity: My family and I love to take walks on the waterfront, go swimming at the beach and play at the countless beautiful parks in Northeast Wisconsin.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? This session, I worked with the Sierra Club, Wisconsin Conservation Congress, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to build strong bi-partisan support for legislation I introduced to expand the federal Every Kid Outdoors program to Wisconsin’s state parks. This federal public lands initiative gives 4th graders and their families one year of free access to national parks. Most 4th graders are already registered by their teachers for the national program, and sign up is also quick and easy through the program’s website. Once Wisconsin accepts these passes at state parks, there would be no separate applications to handle. The legislation easily passed through committee in both chambers but was not taken up by legislative leadership before the end of session and will be re-introduced early next year. This initiative also reminds us that we need to safeguard the environment for future generations precisely because so many of Wisconsin’s economic sectors and jobs - from tourism to agriculture and forestry – rely especially on clean water.
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Sonya Harper - Illinois State Representative
Favorite outdoor activity: I love being able to garden and grow healthy food that I can share with my friends and family.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? In an era of climate change and threats to our environment, more than ever we need to strive to connect current and future generations to the outdoors. That’s why I passed a resolution ( HR 11 ) in Illinois underscoring the value of outdoor experiences for our children. Every child should have the right and opportunity to explore, discover and observe the natural world. If they do not participate in these types of activities, they can face adverse health, social and emotional consequences. Not every child has the opportunity to have these kinds of outdoor experiences, particularly those who grow up in urban settings. That’s why it’s important that our schools, community organizations and parents do what they can to expose our children to our natural wonders.
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Carey Hamilton - Indiana State Representative
Favorite outdoor activity: My favorite outdoor activity is hiking because I love being in nature, hearing the sounds of nature and getting exercise while doing it!
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? My outdoor recreation work has focused on trails. In 2018, I authored and passed a bill that creates immunity for property owners along trails to allow access through private property to trails. This law has facilitated new development along trails throughout the state. I also launched the bi-partisan, bi-cameral Indiana Legislative Trails Caucus in early 2020, and continue to serve as co-chair. The caucus helped secure the first ever legislative funds dedicated to trails - $60m in the 2021 biennial budget. We are now preparing to ask for new funding in the upcoming budget process.
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Didi Barrett - New York State Assemblymember
Favorite outdoor activity: My favorite outdoor activity is taking walks throughout my beautiful 106th Assembly District which is located in New York State’s spectacular Hudson Valley, rich in history, culture, agriculture, stunning viewsheds and natural resources.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? Inspired by a presentation by the Sierra Club at an NCEL conference, I have been proud to successfully craft, introduce and pass the groundbreaking OutdoorRx Act in New York State, which helps veterans and their families access the therapeutic and wellness benefits of our state’s great outdoor resources. As Chair of the New York State Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, I have seen first-hand the healing impact of outdoor recreation for veterans, including those who suffer from traumatic brain injury, PTSD, military sexual trauma, and substance use disorder. With our majestic parks and spectacular natural treasures, New York has led the way in expanding access for our nation’s heroes to parks, trails, rivers and lakes, and helped increase awareness about their impact on mental and behavioral health.
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Michelle Dunphy - Maine State Representative
Favorite outdoor activity: My absolute favorite thing about the outdoors is being on the water in any manner but if I had to pinpoint it, I would say canoeing. Canoeing has it all. It's adventurous, challenging, and a fun way to share some time with friends and my family.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? In the legislative work I’ve engaged in with my colleagues, we’ve worked hard to enhance access to and appreciation of our natural resources; on the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee along with the rest of the Legislature, we passed America’s first Food Sovereignty bill to allow people to have control over where they get their food from, and followed that up with a constitutional amendment enshrining that right for all time; we improved the training and equipment of Forest Rangers to help keep them and the public safe; we’ve worked to promote access for fishing and hunting, and to improve outdoor recreation with better biking and hiking trails.
Learn more about Rep. Dunphy's Outdoor Engagement work in her guest blog post on NCEL's website.
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Sara Love - Maryland State Delegate
Favorite outdoor activity: My favorite outdoor activity is walking/hiking on the C&O Canal, which borders my district and runs along the Potomac River. It is a beautiful, peaceful area where you can be in trees, by the water, or scrambling on rocks.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? This year Maryland passed several important pieces of legislation to get more Marylanders outdoors and enhance their outdoor experience. With more people using our beautiful state parks, a key bill was the Great Maryland Outdoors Act (Sen. Elfreth/Del. Luedtke), which infuses needed funding into our parks to address infrastructure, capacity, and accessibility.
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Mark Keam - Virginia State Delegate
Favorite outdoor activity: While I love being outdoors for any reason, my favorite outdoor activity is hiking because it combines enough physical rigors but not so much that I can be seriously injured, and I can admire the beautiful hills, valleys, streams and sky.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? To promote more outdoor activities, several years ago, my colleagues and I formed a bipartisan, bicameral “Outdoors Recreation Caucus” in the Virginia General Assembly. During the legislative session, our caucus members meet with officials who oversee our state parks and other outdoor resources to learn about any policy issues they face. Once session is over, caucus members get together to participate in outings such as bike rides, hikes, and visits to state parks.
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Pricey Harrison - North Carolina State Representative
Favorite outdoor activity: Rowing on Taylor’s Creek is my happy place. It is hard to beat the experience of a sunset row when a pod of dolphins swims by, a sea turtle comes up for air, a loon dives for dinner, or any number of coastal birds including pelicans, ospreys, and herons, fly by.
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? It is my hope that all North Carolinians, especially future generations, have the opportunity to similarly connect with North Carolina’s incredible natural resources. That’s why I have sponsored legislation to protect water quality, eliminate plastic waste, fund conservation, address the climate crisis, and protect wildlife.
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Sheikh Rahman - Georgia State Senator
Favorite outdoor activity: Cricket
How are you working to increase outdoor engagement in your state? After the pandemic, we have seen an incredible need for students to be outdoors and to interact with nature. During the 2022 legislative session I have sponsored a bill ( SR 203 ) for the creation of a pilot program for outdoor learning spaces which will impact health and wellness of all students of this state. The objective of the pilot program is to establish and develop outdoor learning spaces in elementary and secondary school properties. I also aim to include outdoor learning spaces into the existing educational curriculum and to provide such courses for a period of at least three years.
The Impacts of State Action to Increase Equitable Outdoor Access
The outdoor recreation industry continues to grow and more are becoming aware of the existing barriers underserved communities face when accessing the outdoors. Members of NCEL’s Outdoor Working Group know that race and income should not be barriers to benefitting from time outdoors. That is why they are working to ensure access to nature is equitable and available for all communities. Many of the grant programs advanced by Outdoor Working Group members in previous years have already led to significant benefits for those working to expand equitable outdoor engagement. Below is a sampling of some of the impacts these state programs have had on outdoor accessibility and equity.
Outdoor Equity Grant Programs
New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund
Overview - The New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund was a first-of-its-kind program that serves as a model for other states by awarding grants to projects working to expand equitable outdoor access for the state’s youth. The program was created in 2019 via legislation sponsored by Outdoor Working Group member Representative Angelica Rubio ( S.B.462 ) as well as other NCEL members.
The impacts of New Mexico’s Outdoor Equity Fund: A total of $1.16 million awarded so far resulting in 24,7000 kids being brought outside!
Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Program
Overview - Inspired by New Mexico's program, Colorado’s Outdoor Equity Grant Program will award grants to non-profit organizations, Tribes, schools, governments, and for-profit businesses working to improve access to Colorado’s public lands and outdoor spaces among the state’s underserved youth and their families. The program was made possible by a 2021 bill ( H.B. 1318 ) sponsored by Outdoor Working Group member Representative Leslie Herod and other NCEL members. The bill also created the Colorado Outdoor Equity Board which determines the grant awardees and consists of voting members from various marginalized groups, a conservationist, an environmental justice expert, and a member experienced with outdoor education.
Looking Ahead - In response to high demand - 170 funding requests in the first few weeks - the Outdoor Equity Board has increased the amount of funding for the inaugural round from $550,000 to a minimum of $1.5 million. The Outdoor Equity Board is currently reviewing applications and plans to formally award the grants in July.
California Outdoor Equity Grants Program
Overview - California’s Outdoor Equity Grants Program was created in 2019 with the enactment of Assembly Bill 209 . The program is aimed at reducing financial barriers for historically underserved communities - including urban, rural, and low-income communities - to access environmental education opportunities on the state’s public lands.
Grant Recipients - It was announced on May 27, 2022 that the first round of grants totalling $57 million would be awarded to 125 communities and organizations throughout California.
No Child Left Inside Grant Programs
Washington No Child Left Inside Program
Overview - Washington state’s No Child Left Inside program provides grants to increase outdoor engagement for underserved youth. Nonprofit organizations, schools, public agencies, and community-based groups are all eligible to receive grants through the program. Priorities include programs that engage students from low-income families or those that are struggling academically. The program was originally codified into law via 2007 legislation ( H.B.1677 ) and was reauthorized in 2015 with S.B.5843 , of which Outdoor Working Group member Senator Christine Rolfes was a primary sponsor. Inspired by Washington’s efforts, Nevada and Minnesota have enacted similar policies.
Impacts - From 2015-2019, the program funded 58 projects, which provided a total of 30,196 children with increased access to outdoor activities. This equates to 753,020 hours of education and funded 134 staff positions. Grants are awarded every other year and total funding for the program now consists of $4.5 million from the state’s general fund.
Minnesota No Child Left Inside Grant Program
Overview - Modeled after a similar program in Washington State, Minnesota’s No Child Left Inside Grant Program is aimed at connecting more of the state’s youth with the outdoors, especially those coming from underserved communities with limited access to outdoor activities. The grant program was initially proposed in a 2019 bill sponsored by Outdoor Working Group member Representative Jamie Becker-Finn ( HF133 ) before being rolled into a larger environmental omnibus bill . The 2021 Minnesota Legislature successfully secured $900,000 in new funding for future grants.
The Impacts - The first phase of grants resulted in $233,707 being awarded to 59 recipients which in turn brought over 12,000 children into the outdoors.
2022 Outdoor Engagement Legislation
In the 2022 legislative session, 28 states have introduced legislation to advance opportunities for increased outdoor engagement, access, and education. Below is a list of enacted policies as of May 2022. This list will be updated as state sessions conclude.
Arkansas ( SB 33 ) Directs $10 million to the Outdoor Recreations Grants Program in the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism.
Colorado ( HB 22-1090 ) Allows a child reasonable independence to engage in activities such as outdoor play without finding that the child is abused or neglected.
Maryland ( SB 0541 ) Established the Great Maryland Outdoors Fund to address infrastructure, capacity, and accessibility needs within the Park Service and State Park system. Includes $10 mill for increasing water access and $30 million for land acquisition.
( SB 0124 ) Establishes the Grant Program to Reduce and Compost School Waste for public schools and increase environmental education. Grants are reviewed by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education.
New Mexico ( SB 212 ) Directs roughly $2 million to plan, design, and construct outdoor classrooms at several schools and nature centers.
Oregon ( HB 5202 ) Directs $1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act funding to the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund for outdoor recreation stimulus.
Utah ( HB 155 ) Expands the State Parks Honor Pass Program to provide free access for all veterans with any percentage of disability rating from the Veterans Administration.
Washington ( HB 2078) Establishes the Outdoor School for All Program, including a statewide grant program for schools and Tribes to ensure all students benefit from outdoor education.
Learn More
To learn more about outdoor engagement and state-level policies to make the outdoors more accessible and equitable, visit NCEL's website . If you are a state legislator and interested in joining NCEL's Outdoor Working Group, please contact NCEL's Deputy Director Dylan McDowell .
