America The Beautiful for All Coalition Members Support the Encouraging Public Service in Our National Parks and Public Land Act
WASHINGTON DC — Ahead of Juneteenth National Independence Day, 35 organizations in the United States and territories across zip codes, sectors, and scale issued a formal letter affirming support for S.3429, Encouraging Public Service in Our National Parks and Public Land Act. This important legislation would permanently restore Juneteenth among other nationally important days as fee-free days at national parks and federal recreational lands.
In response, these letter signatories issue the following statements:
“It is important to restore Juneteenth as a fee-free day because it is important to make it easily accessible for everyone to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about American history,” said Michael Coard, Avenging The Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) Founder and Attorney.
“If Secretary Burgum is serious about keeping parks open, safe and accessible he will work with Congress to get this bill on President Trump’s desk ASAP,” said Olivia Juarez, GreenLatinos Public Land Program Director. “Our national parks are in crisis; they need public service now more than ever.”
“Entrance fees at National Parks discriminate based on wealth, posing barriers to access by lower-income communities,” said Erik Molvar, Executive Director of Western Watersheds Project. “Every day should be a fee-free day at America’s National Parks, but at the very least, fees should be waived for important holidays celebrating our national diversity such as Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.”
“Public lands are national treasures that belong to everyone, and getting a new generation outside and enjoying them is vital to their protection,” said Steve Pedery, Conservation Director with Oregon Wild. “The Juneteenth fee-free day created an opportunity for families from all economic backgrounds to fall in love with public lands, and it should be restored.”
“Fee-free days are an invitation to enjoy America’s unmatched network of national parks and public lands. President Trump and Interior Secretary Burgum eliminated free admission on both Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, one of several steps they have taken to weaponize our national park system in service of efforts to whitewash American history,” said Jackie Ostfeld, Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All Director.
“Federal holidays are important opportunities for families to spend time together outdoors, especially when schools are closed. We should be making all federal holidays fee-free in our national parks, not closing the door on families discovering America’s national treasures for the first time.”
“America’s public lands belong to all of us, and fee-free days help ensure that access isn’t limited by income or circumstance,” said Michelle Lute, PhD, Executive Director of Wildlife for All. “Juneteenth is an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing work of expanding freedom, opportunity, and belonging in this country. Restoring Juneteenth as a fee-free day sends an essential message: our public lands are for everyone, and everyone deserves the chance to experience and connect with them.”
Desert Bighorn Ewe – Colorado National Monument
Media
Read the community sign-on letter addressed to the Sponsor and Cosponsors of S.3429 here.
Read more about S.3429 here.