UPDATE: In January 2025, President Biden signed the EXPLORE Act into law alongside reauthorizing the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act, reinforcing federal support for outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation. The EXPLORE Act aims to expand access to public lands, improve recreational infrastructure, and streamline permitting for guides and outfitters. With bipartisan backing, the law is set to benefit states like Arkansas, where outdoor recreation plays a key role in local economies. However, recent workforce reductions at the U.S. Forest Service raise concerns about the agency’s ability to implement these initiatives effectively, particularly in the Ozark-St. Francis and Ouachita National Forests.
With outdoor recreation generating $1.2 trillion in economic output, or 2.3% of the U.S. GDP, and supporting 5 million jobs, public lands face mounting pressure to accommodate increased use. A new report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis highlights the sector’s explosive growth, prompting calls for Congress to address critical infrastructure needs. The EXPLORE Act, a groundbreaking legislative package championed by Outdoor Alliance, seeks to improve outdoor access, enhance trail systems, and protect public lands while responding to surging participation.
Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of 10 national nonprofit organizations advocating for human-powered outdoor recreation, is leading efforts to pass the EXPLORE Act by the end of the year. The coalition notes that the legislation includes key provisions such as the Biking on Long Distance Trails Act (BOLT) to expand biking networks and could include the Ouachita National Recreational Trail in Arkansas, the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act (PARC) to safeguard Wilderness climbing areas, and the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act (SOAR) to streamline permitting for outfitters and guides. Additional measures include permanent support for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership and the creation of the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR).
“This bill will improve management for climbing and mountain biking, enhance how agencies oversee outdoor recreation, and invest in parks where they are needed most,” said Louis Geltman, Vice President of Policy and Government Relations at Outdoor Alliance.
The House passed the EXPLORE Act unanimously in April, and a related Senate bill, the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA), has already advanced out of committee. Lawmakers including Senator Joe Manchin and Representative Bruce Westerman are pushing to finalize the bill’s passage.
The public can advance this legislation by reaching out to their representatives and urging them to pass it before the year’s end. Outdoor Alliance has created a quick-action form to help individuals send personalized letters to their lawmakers.
More than 300 outdoor recreation organizations and businesses signed a letter urging Congress to pass the EXPLORE Act by the end of the year to show widespread support. Outdoor Alliance has also launched a public advocacy campaign, providing a quick-action tool for constituents to contact their representatives on its website.
Learn more about Outdoor Alliance and take action to support the EXPLORE Act at OutdoorAlliance.org.
