May 2024 - Parks & Recreation - 21

gram that grants fourth graders
and their families free access to
federal public lands and waters. It
is a way to give our children firsthand
experience with our largest
natural features right when they're
starting to learn about them in
school. The program is currently
scheduled to sunset in 2026, but
U.S. Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) has
introduced legislation that would
permanently authorize it and expand
the program to include fifth
graders. OAK also has worked
to advocate for similar state-level
programs to make regional public
lands more accessible as well.
Access
to
the
outdoors
is
a
multifaceted issue. Whether we're
referring to the national parks or
the smaller but no less impactful
local parks, there's a lot of work
ahead. Working together with
more than 100 other organizations
that share the same vision is the
best way for us to achieve our
goals of connecting more children
and families with nature.
Connecting People to
Nature
Spending time in nature has been
proven to improve mental health,
sleep and physical health (tinyurl.
com/yrkv4nba). With climate anxiety
and other mental health struggles
causing an epidemic among our
youth, time in nature can be a critical
source of support and reprieve. But
for many, cost, accessibility, transportation,
experience level and other
barriers prevent them from spending
that healing time outdoors. Many
OAK members' work involves reducing
those barriers, providing
programming that connects more
children and families with camping
opportunities, safe playgrounds or affordable
recreation programs. OAK
also works to advocate for underrepresented
and disadvantaged communities
to create a welcoming and
inclusive outdoors for all of us.
Now, when climate anxiety is
high and the climate crisis affects an
increasing number of us, the work
of NRPA and other OAK members
is vital to providing our youth with
an outlet and a more hopeful future.
We also recognize the agency and
role that young patrons deserve to
have when it comes to issues affecting
their futures. That's why OAK
has a robust and expanding group
of youth advisors assisting and
guiding the organization as we offer
them experience in advocacy work.
We brought dozens of youths to
Capitol Hill last year during our annual
OAK Week to speak directly to
their representatives and advocate
Now, when climate anxiety is
high and the climate crisis affects
an increasing number of us, the
work of NRPA and other OAK
members is vital to providing our
youth with an outlet and a more
hopeful future.
for the needs of youths and families,
as well as for legislation that
supports those needs.
SEE ALSO: Take It Outside: The
Key to Engaging Young Children with
Nature, Paula Jacoby-Garrett, Parks
& Recreation, April 2018, Vol. 48,
Iss. 4, tinyurl.com/yc7jdy2z.
Julia Hurwit is Outdoor Alliance for Kids
Campaign Manager.
CREATING A WORLD
WHERE PARK ASSETS
NEVER FAIL.
Every asset within your parks system- from benches
to trails and everything in between- has unique
maintenance needs. Let our software help.
Take action today.
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | MAY 2 0 2 4 | Parks & Recreation
21
http://tinyurl.com/yc7jdy2z http://tinyurl.com/yrkv4nba
May 2024 - Parks & Recreation

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