Trust for Public Land’s Post

Check out this piece I wrote for the August issue of Parks and Rec Business Magazine about segregated recreation and how parks and rec departments can address this history (and current inequities) today.

When you step outside, do you feel grateful for the space and it's accessibility? Or are you one of the 100 million Americans that lack access to a quality local park? Yes, 100 million Americans lack access to a quality local park. The Outdoors for All Act, a bipartisan bill in both the House and Senate, would ensure that the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program has steady funding for generations to come. What does that mean for park access? This program awards grant funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, supporting the development of new parks and the renovation of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in underinvested urban communities. Help to bring quality parks to ALL Americans, take action now ⏬ https://lnkd.in/eQ5sQRrx

How do you use your Outside Voice? Tell us what outdoor issues you most care about and we’ll share your story with our elected officials and the outdoor community. Whether it’s equitable access, protection of our public lands, or investment in our parks, we want to know.   Head to the link below to tell us how you use your outside voice! #share #outdoorindustry #outsidevoice

Now more than ever, our state’s parks need us. This January, we’re seeking 100 new park champions to become a member by making a gift of $25 or more, so that we can confidently meet urgent needs in our beloved parks all year-round. Your increased support will help us tackle urgent projects in 2024, such as: 🌊 Building climate resiliency across the state to combat the ongoing impacts of sea-level rise, wildfire frequency and severity, and more. 🧡 Advocating at the statewide level so that California state parks have the necessary funding to reach their full potential and best serve visitors. 🌳Expanding access to parks so that all Californians can experience their positive impact on health, happiness, and quality of life. Can we count on you to help protect California’s amazing 280 state parks and ensure that access to their beauty, culture, and history is available to all? Become a member today: https://lnkd.in/gCtdbSF5.

We narrowly avoided a government shutdown and the closure of all national parks last month, but the fight is far from over. Imagine a park system where visitors don’t see park rangers past the entrance gate; where they might find the visitor center closed and trails deteriorating for lack of care; and where educational programs would be virtually nonexistent and wildlife research would be halted. Will we let Congress cut funding to the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore? Or shortchange the places that rural communities depend on for their livelihoods? Can we afford to let roads crumble at Yellowstone or Acadia? #NationalParks #ParkProtector #ParkAdvocate #ParkProtection #ParkFunding #GovernmentShutdown

There is only a short period of time for the House to act to avert a government shutdown. Agencies must spend funds planning how to prepare for potential shutdowns even if the shutdowns do not actually occur. Citizens must also be alerted to potential consequences on these possible shutdowns. Where does your Congress member stand on shutdowns? What are the members' issues that would lead to allowing for shutdowns? #governance #federalgovernment #executivedepartments #congress #maga #publicservices

🌎 When we protect our environment, we are protecting our history, our economy and ensuring a sustainable, prosperous future for all Floridians. 💵 For example, the Fort Mantanzas National Monument in St. Johns County saw over 698,000 visitors in 2022, supporting 663 direct jobs and contributing more than $46 million in visitor spending to the Florida economy. (2022 NPS Visitor Spending Effects Report) This is just one of 11 National Parks in Florida! What are some of your favorite National, State, or Local parks to visit in Florida? Leave a comment with your tips below. 👇️ 👇️ 👇️ Let’s celebrate Florida environment AND our economy. #EnvironmentAndEconomyFL

Did you know that Indianapolis residents have 200 parks and over 11,000 acres (about half the area of Manhattan) of greenspace to explore? Before the civil war, Indianapolis did not have any plans for greenspace, as residents back then had pastures and miles of undeveloped land to use. There was even an initial pushback from city leaders to implement parks. To learn more about how citizens worked together to bring parks and greenspace to our great city, read the article “Parks and Greenspaces” through our Encyclopedia of Indianapolis! https://bit.ly/4cczXin

This information is eye opening! Years ago I met a homeless family at a rec center. I befriended them and eventually allowed the young man to live in our home so he could finish high school. I realized that day I met them, as a parks employee, my daily productivity affects the lives of so many. The "do more with less" mantra is realistic to a certain point. Funding and resource challenges can easily decrease morale, hinder motivation/ performance, and disengage our public servants. Is this why the city (parks and rec) heavily relies on partnerships like "50/50" and Astros Foundation? Generally, park departments across the nation receive less funding than other departments, but Houston is too great of a city to forget the importance of our greenspace and parks. Many families rely on the parks and community centers as a place to celebrate, hold birthday parties, play sports, and spend quality time. Especially when it provides economic savings to a family who is struggling to keep the lights on in their home. ** These assets are vital and we need to contribute more to maintaining and repairing our great city parks. **

Attention outdoor recreation community! Let's get something good done in Congress... In early 2023, we predicted that the state of affairs in the House would be chaotic at best. With Congress divided, it’s been a difficult job getting lawmakers on the same page. That said, we have seen great success for conservation and outdoor recreation in a divided Congress before, like passing the Great American Outdoors Act, and the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. Let your lawmakers know that you want to see them come together and pass the next successful package of outdoor recreation policy, America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA). It takes just two minutes: https://lnkd.in/geZqNYy4