WASHINGTON, D.C. – By approving the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, the House Natural Resources Committee has endorsed expanding recreation opportunities, improving infrastructure, and removing barriers so that more Americans can connect with nature. The bill will also boost the economies of gateway communities that depend on the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation industry. As it advances through both chambers, it is vital that lawmakers improve the bipartisan legislation to avoid negative impacts that increased recreation might have on wildlife.

“Millions of people visit our public lands every year to hike, bike, camp, hunt, fish, and create lasting memories for their families. Unfortunately, they are often met with confusing user fees, overcrowded trails, and sub-par facilities. The bipartisan EXPLORE Act will help make improvements so that more people can enjoy all that these cherished lands and waters have to offer,” said Abby Tinsley, vice president for conservation policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “As always, though, when we expand opportunities to recreate, we must also ensure that it is done in a responsible manner so that negative impacts to wildlife are avoided or minimized.”