Press Release: Historic Great American Outdoors Act Signed into Law

“The Great American Outdoors Act is beneficial to us all, protecting our country’s most precious places, and expanding critical outdoor and recreational opportunities to our communities,” said Camilla Simon, Executive Director of Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO). “The future of our nation’s special and venerated public lands is bright, and we look forward to the upcoming park projects, and improved outdoor access many will experience in our country’s landscapes.

Press Release: The Great American Outdoors Act Passes the House of Representatives

With strong bipartisan backing, the Great American Outdoors Act today passed the House of Representatives and is one step closer to becoming law.

The landmark legislation fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which will address the maintenance backlog in our national parks and public lands, as well as allocating funding to parks and habitat projects.

HECHO commends the members of the U.S. House of Representatives who have come together to protect our nation’s state and local parks, trails, recreation facilities and public lands, fortifying our connection to our nation's diverse landscapes.

Event Recap: Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and the Outdoors (HECHO) Hosts Roundtable Discussion for Full Conservation Funding of Great American Outdoors Act with Senator Tom Udall’s Office

HECHO, in partnership with ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), hosted a virtual roundtable with community leaders and small businesses to discuss the Senate passage of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), and the ways in which the legislation will benefit New Mexico.

Panelists included Senator Udall, HECHO Executive Director, Camilla Simon, HECHO Board Member and Chairman-Elect of the National Wildlife Federation’s Board of Directors, Kent Salazar, Enchanted Circle Trails Association representative, Carl Colonias, Southern NM Trails Alliance representative, Matt Mason, Santa Fe City Councilor, Renee Villarreal, and Roswell City Councilor, Judy Stubbs.

adminJuly 15, 2020Event Recap, Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)Comment

Press Release: HECHO Celebrates Senate Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act

June 17, 2020 -- Today, HECHO is celebrating alongside countless others the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) by the U.S. Senate. An act of bipartisanship (73-25) marks a major milestone for full and consistent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which protects and increases access to public lands and national parks, and addresses the significant maintenance backlog in our national parks.

Statement: HECHO Commends Bipartisan Senate Effort to Ensure Full Funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund

Yesterday, March 10, 2020, 56 U.S. Senators introduced legislation that would support full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The proposed bill, named The Great American Outdoors Act, would fully fund LWCF in addition to supporting national parks and public lands by addressing maintenance backlogs.

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