By Deb Haaland and Shannon Estenoz, U.S. Department of the Interior
As women who have dedicated our careers to conservation and public service, we can trace our passion for the outdoors back to our childhoods. From being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Florida Keys to exploring the high desert of New Mexico, these experiences were not just recreational — they were formative. They instilled in us a deep love of nature and a commitment to preserving it for future generations.
These personal connections to the outdoors are why we, as leaders of the U.S. Department of the Interior, are so passionate about expanding outdoor access for all people. In a time when our communities face growing challenges — from the mental health impacts of a rapidly changing world to the physical toll of increasingly sedentary lifestyles — access to nature is not a luxury but a necessity for the well-being of individuals and communities alike. This is why the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program — funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund and administered by the Interior Department — is so vital.
The ORLP is a federal grant program aimed at expanding outdoor recreation opportunities in urban and underserved areas. These grants focus on underserved communities that lack adequate access to parks, green space and the recreational activities they provide.
The absence of such resources can have profound implications for the health and well-being of residents. For example, studies show that spending time in nature can reduce stress, improve mental health and encourage physical activity. For children, access to parks is linked to better cognitive development and academic performance.
Parks are also an important part of the social fabric of many communities, where after-school programs, club sports and family gatherings strengthen community bonds and make lasting memories. Strong and accessible outdoor recreation also stimulates economies by generating jobs, boosting property values and attracting visitors and tourists.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, we have supercharged the ORLP program. Last month, we announced $254 million in funding for 54 projects across 24 states — the single largest grant investment in the program’s decade-long history.
Florida will receive nearly $15 million for projects in four different parks. From Carter Park in Fort Lauderdale to Marva Y. Bannerman Park in Miami, communities can now build or update outdoor spaces to meet modern recreation needs. In fact, the program emphasizes community-based design to ensure that we invest in the outdoor spaces that communities want and need. This latest set of grants builds on the hundreds of millions of dollars already announced by the administration to fund projects that close the gap in access to the outdoors that persists across our nation.
The ORLP program is more than just a grant program; it is a tool for investing directly in communities by supporting their ideas for more equitable, healthy and sustainable approaches to outdoor recreation. As we continue to confront the challenges of urbanization, the climate crisis and social inequity, programs like ORLP are essential tools in our efforts to build resilient communities.
By expanding access to outdoor spaces, we are not only enhancing the quality of life for millions of Americans but also laying the foundation for a more connected and harmonious relationship with the natural world.
It’s a future where everyone, regardless of their background or ZIP code, can, for generations to come, enjoy the simple yet profound benefits of spending time outdoors.
Deb Haaland is U.S. secretary of the interior and Shannon Estenoz is assistant secretary for fish and wildlife and parks. This opinion piece was originally published by the Miami Herald, which is a media partner of The Invading Sea. Banner photo: Long Key Natural Area in Davie (iStock image).
If you are interested in submitting an opinion piece to The Invading Sea, email Editor Nathan Crabbe at ncrabbe@fau.edu. Sign up for The Invading Sea newsletter by visiting here.
