Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Transit to Trails Act in the House and Senate, which promotes equitable access to parks, green spaces, and public lands and waters. The Transit to Trails Act creates a grant program to fund projects that make transportation to green spaces and public lands more accessible for critically underserved communities. The Nature for All Coalition is a proud supporter of Congressmember Gomez’s reintroduced Transit to Trails Act.
“Nature for All is elated to work with Congressmember Gomez on the Transit to Trails Act — and lead field trips outdoors! In Los Angeles County, 50% of our communities are park-poor,” said Bryan Matsumoto, Program Manager for Nature For All. “Nature-deficit disorder is a serious urban issue with rippling societal effects. Poor health and low interest in environmental issues are the result of environmental injustice and disinvestment in underserved communities’ access to nature. Transit to Trails programs are powerful, multi-benefit investments that yield great returns – planting the seeds for urban children to keep exploring and become emotionally and physically healthy, curious citizens of the world.”
“Our national parks and public lands have long been characterized as, ‘America’s Best Idea,’ but that’s only true if they’re accessible to all Americans,” said Congressman Gomez. “As we rebuild from this pandemic, we cannot exclude parks, green spaces, national monuments, and public lands and waters from our public health infrastructure. We value our time outside more than ever now, but for some, there are too many unique challenges and barriers, including limited economic mobility and a lack of public transportation options. The Transit to Trails act will help underserved communities benefit from educational and both physical and mental health opportunities, ensuring everyone — regardless of their zip code — can enjoy the outdoors, from our national parks to neighborhood playgrounds.”
