WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M), a member of the National Parks Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, applauded the Senate's passage of his bipartisan resolution designating May 18, 2024, as National Kids to Parks Day to empower young New Mexicans and their families to get outdoors and enjoy healthy outdoor recreation.  

Started in 2011 with the National Park Trust, the fourteenth annual Kids to Parks Day kicks off a summer-long series of events at local, state and national parks. The Senate passed the resolution by unanimous consent.  

"Connecting kids to the outdoors can give them a sense of place, a refreshed perspective, and the physical activity they crave. It also can inspire a lifelong connection to conservation. I've seen this as both a dad and an outdoor educator," said Heinrich. "A few years back, I was proud to lead the successful effort to provide all fourth graders and their families free access to explore our national parks, forests, and monuments. On this Kids to Parks Day, I encourage all New Mexico families to get outside and enjoy our state's beautiful public lands." 

Alongside Heinrich, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Angus King (I-Maine). 

Heinrich, co-chair of the bipartisan Outdoor Recreation Caucus, is a longtime supporter of enhancing educational outdoor recreation opportunities for communities in New Mexico. Heinrich successfully passed the Every Kid Outdoors Act, legislation that provides all fourth graders and their families free entrance to America's public lands, waters, and historic sites, including national parks – more than 2,000 sites in all. 

Early in his career, Heinrich served in AmeriCorps for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and was the Executive Director of the Cottonwood Gulch Foundation, where he led youth educational wilderness expeditions and outdoor programs in the American Southwest. 

The text of the resolution is here.