American sportsmen annually fund our nation’s legacy of conservation through a “user-pays, public-benefits” system, which provides millions of dollars toward the preservation of our lands and natural resources. In 2015, hunting and recreational shooting activities alone generated $823 million to support the conservation and rehabilitation of public land, and provide more than 80 percent of the annual funding for state fish and game agencies. America needs more hunters and recreational shooters to ensure the sustainability of this system.

In addition to supporting conservation, our nation’s sportsmen create and sustain outdoor recreation jobs, ensuring economic stability and income for millions of American families. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, sportsmen annually generate $65.3 billion in federal tax revenues, a combined $59.2 billion in state and local taxes and 7.6 million American jobs. These jobs are in a diverse assortment of fields ranging from game management to manufacturing that support hard-working American families across the country.

Unfortunately, federal agencies like the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management continue to restrict access to public lands for hunting, fishing and recreational shooting. For many Americans, our public lands are where they have practiced these activities for decades, and remain some of the only locations where they can recreate safely and affordably. Reliable public access to these areas must remain a priority. The SHARE Act safeguards access to our public lands, and features provisions designed to ensure that federal agencies actively work to sustain and expand these opportunities for Americans.

Outdoor sporting activities are deeply engrained in the fabric of America’s culture and heritage. Values instilled by these activities are passed down generation to generation, and these values ensure that our nation’s resources are conserved, economies grow and families thrive. The SHARE Act preserves and enhances these virtues.

With its passage, a much-needed step is advanced to safeguard these opportunities. Without it, conservation of these lands will diminish and American outdoor traditions – and the jobs and economic opportunities they support – will remain threatened.