On August 4, the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law. This is the most important piece of conservation legislation in half a century! The Act provides full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which protect lands and waters Americans treasure most, and improves access to the outdoors for urban communities. The Act also dedicates $9.5 billion over five years to address the maintenance backlog within National Parks and on trails nationwide. The Great American Outdoors Act doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime – instead it’s paid for by industries who profit from operating on our public lands.

Thanks to all members of the Arizona Trail community who contacted your elected representatives to encourage them to vote in support of the Act. It received overwhelming bipartisan support, proving that public lands and resources like the Arizona Trail have a way of bringing people together. If you’re represented by these Arizona members of Congress, please send them a note of thanks for their support: Ruben Gallego, Raúl Grijalva, Ann Kirkpatrick, Martha McSally, Tom O’Halleran, David Schweikert, Kyrsten Sinema, and Greg Stanton.

Today is an important day worthy of celebration. Raise a glass to the Great American Outdoors Act and everyone who helped make it happen. Future generations will be grateful for this important commitment to conservation.

Now, we must protect the Grand Canyon by enacting the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act – a permanent ban on mining in the region. This mining ban will protect the region’s land, wildlife, and people from irreparable uranium contamination. The Grand Canyon region is an invaluable resource to all Arizonans, and our elected leaders must continue advocating for its conservation.