Changemakers and Trailblazers: What You Need to Know About the EXPLORE Act

Advancing the Outdoor Professional

In this conversation, Jeannette Stawski talks with Paul Sanford about the EXPLORE Act (H.R. 6492), federal legislation that aims to expand recreation opportunities on federal lands and waters. The EXPLORE Act (H.R. 6492) combines various recreation bills into one package and addresses issues such as equitable access, modernizing recreation facilities, and improving the permitting system for outdoor leaders.

About Paul

Paul Sanford is a Director of Equitable Access Policy at The Wilderness Society, where he develops organizational policy priorities that seek to ensure everyone benefits equitably from nature and public lands. A native of Cleveland, OH, Paul has a Law degree from the University of Toledo and a Bachelor's degree from Ohio University. Paul has been a public policy advocate at the federal level since 1991. He began his recreation career in 2004 as the Stewardship and Policy Director at the American Canoe Association. He transitioned to the Wilderness Society in 2011 because he believes in the deep connection between people and place that is forged by recreation on public lands, and wants to ensure that people can enjoy America’s public lands while at the same time working for their protection. Paul’s favorite outdoor activity is kayaking on the waters of the Great Lakes region.

Resources

• The Wilderness Society [https://www.wilderness.org/]
• The Wildnerness Society's Public Lands Curriculm [https://www.wilderness.org/articles/article/public-lands-united-states-curriculum]
• 5 ways the EXPLORE Act Helps Improve Outdoor Access [https://www.wilderness.org/articles/blog/5-ways-explore-act-improves-outdoor-access]