GreenLatinos Celebrate Landmark Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act

Washington, DC –  The following is a statement from Mark Magaña, GreenLatinos President & CEO, in response to the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act:

“The Great American Outdoors Act will go down in history as one of the most important conservation bills passed in US history. Not only does it seek to conserve land to mitigate the effects of climate change and restore biodiversity, it also provides for more urban parks that will improve equitable access to outdoor spaces for Latino communities.

This bipartisan passage in the House and Senate ensures permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). LWCF has proven instrumental in supporting and creating access to parks, trails, and other recreational opportunities for us in urban, native, and rural areas across our nation. It can not be overlooked – access to these green spaces contributes to the health and well-being of our communities. Moreover, the Great American Outdoors Act will help address the National Parks $12 billion dollar maintenance backlog.

As our nation continues to work through the COVID-19 public health crisis, Congress has committed to honoring and protecting our communities and providing them with access to more public spaces to safely reconnect with nature, their cultura, and their identity. Access to local outdoor recreational spaces, paired with social distancing and mask use, is essential in keeping our communities safe and healthy during these challenging times. Now that Congress has acted, we await the President’s signature to enact the Great American Outdoors Act into law; protecting public lands and providing equitable access to nature for all.”

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GreenLatinos is a national network of Latino environmental and conservation advocates committed to addressing national, regional and local environmental, natural resources and conservation issues that significantly affect the health and welfare of the Latino community in the United States. GreenLatinos provides an inclusive table at which its members establish collaborative partnerships and networks to improve the environment; protect and promote conservation of land and other natural resources; amplify the voices of minority, low-income and tribal communities; and train, mentor, and promote the current and future generations of Latino environmentalists.