Throughout my childhood days, the one place I was mostly drawn to was the great outdoors. Whether it was biking around Fort Smith with my buddies or casting a fishing line into the river, my childhood memories are all imbued with a deep love and reverence for the open skies and green expanses. I am hopeful that their stories will inspire the younger generations to foster a lifelong curiosity about the outdoor world and look for ways to support its preservation.
In light of this goal, back in 2015, the U.S. Department of Interior embarked on a program to connect children, particularly fourth graders and their families with national parks and other open public land. They were allowed free entry to these locations for promoting outdoor explorations among the young population. This program witnessed great success and was subsequently established as a law by Congress, enabling future fourth graders to ensure they receive the same opportunities.
To take this initiative forward, I joined hands with Senator Martin Henrich from New Mexico and launched the ‘Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act’. The primary aim behind this act is to instill an understanding and love for our national parks and the resources that they shelter. It allows the next generation to unearth the treasured expressions of our national heritage and Spielberg their journey within the outdoor.
One of the successful programs, ‘Every Kid Outdoors’, led numerous children and their families towards exploring public lands, historic sites, water bodies, and national parks of America – since inception, over 2,000 places have been explored. The park pass, aimed at fourth graders and their caregivers, saw over 18,000 vouchers being distributed since 2021 only in Arkansas. The ongoing increase in interest in this park pass highlights its importance. It strengthens the bond between young people and public lands, fuels their interest in outdoor activities, and paves the way for future environmental guardianship.
Outdoor recreational activities have a significant impact on our state economy, creating 43,000 jobs and driving consumer spending up to the tune of $4 billion. Therefore, boosting this sector can lead to further enhancement of opportunities and conservation of our environment.
I recently had a fruitful conversation with a group of people from Arkansas representing various outdoor recreational activities like mountain climbing, hiking, and mountain biking. They were associated with the Outdoor Alliance, a national alliance of organizations that work for enhancing access to public lands across our country.
Investments in this sector have yielded impressive outcomes, with biking interests seeing a significant growth spurt. Trails across Arkansas are seeing increasing attention both from locals, and at a national level among biking enthusiasts. The Adventure Cycling Association lately unveiled the USBR51, its first U.S. Bicycle Route System trail in Arkansas. Stretching over 88 miles from the Missouri state line to Alma, Arkansas, this is one of the most intriguing biking paths in the country.
Arkansas, with its rugged rock formations, attracts rock climber enthusiasts of all skill levels and has more than 400 climbable sites. I’ve thrown my full weight behind this at both national and state levels, with policies that ensure the climbing community has access to public lands.
Arkansas, often referred to as The Natural State, provides ample opportunities for residents and visitors to revel in the beauty of the outdoors. To make this experience even more accessible, I will continue to collaborate with my colleagues. This way, we can continue to nurture the spirit of exploration and enjoyment of these land treasures for the locals in our backyard.
