Grijalva and New Coalition of Diversity Leaders Call on Obama to Make National Parks More Accessible to all Americans
House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and a new coalition of diversity leaders held a press conference on Thursday at the U.S. Capitol to urge President Obama to take critical steps toward making national parks and other public lands more accessible to all Americans. The coalition – comprised of diversity leaders from civil rights, environmental justice, conservation and community organizations – echoes a letter spearheaded by Grijalva and Congressman Alcee L. Hastings’ (D-Fla.) that urges the National Park Service (NPS) to focus on diversity and inclusion as they prepare for NPS’s 100th anniversary celebration. The letter, sent last week, was co-signed by 34 House Democrats.
The nation’s changing demographics, coupled with the threats of climate change, increased energy development and partisan attacks on clean air, water and public lands, requires the urgent engagement of all Americans in the use and protection of the nation’s national parks and other public lands. The coalition’s policy recommendations for a more inclusive system of public lands come on the heels of President Obama’s 23rd national monument designation and a National Park Week Proclamation committing to helping all Americans discover the outdoors and enjoy America’s public lands.
