In the United States we read and hear about the awesome power of specific groups to influence Congress. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and Gun Owners of America (GOA) exemplify the ultimate in this citizen influence. A recent Congressional bill pushed by the GOA approved concealed carry of weapons in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges. The bill was crafted during the Bush Administration years but it was signed by President Obama because it was attached to a credit card regulatory bill that the new administration wanted. Gun lobby organizations exert great influence because of the numbers of people they represent and the money behind them used to lobby. We can hope this doesn’t lead to shootings in parks and refuges resulting from escalating disagreements among visitors but it likely will.
We have largely lacked both the money and the will to use collaborative influence in the fields of heritage interpretation and environmental education until recently. Richard Louv’s book, Last Child in the Woods (2005), stimulated collaboration of a more political nature that is beginning to pay dividends. The book and resulting keynotes by Louv at many gatherings of professionals and parents led to a political groundswell to get children outside. The No Child Left Inside movement is coordinated by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and now includes more than 1,300 organizations, including NAI, and more than 45 million Americans. Those numbers begin to draw attention among elected leaders.
Abby Ybarra and Lucas Johnson are the Grassroots Coordinators and they have been great about getting out Action Alerts that suggest how we can most be of help in getting Congress to pass the No Child Left Inside Act (NCLIA – Senate Bill 866). This bill was recently introduced by Senator John Reed (D) of Rhode Island. It has 15 Senate Co-sponsors, but needs 51 ideally. Two Republicans, an Independent and twelve Democrats are the current cosponsors.
If you support the NCLIA, you can help by emailing your senator to urge her or his cosponsorship of S.866 right away, before the August recess. The existing cosponsors are:
Sen. John Reed [D-RI]
Cosponsors [as of 2009-07-13]
Sen. Michael Bennet [D-CO]
Sen. Benjamin Cardin [D-MD]
Sen. Robert Casey [D-PA]
Sen. Susan Collins [R-ME]
Sen. Christopher Dodd [D-CT]
Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand [D-NY]
Sen. John Kerry [D-MA]
Sen. Frank Lautenberg [D-NJ]
Sen. Blanche Lincoln [D-AR]
Sen. Robert Menéndez [D-NJ]
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Bernard Sanders [I-VT]
Sen. Olympia Snowe [R-ME]
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D-RI]
Advocacy of this kind has not been a regular part of our role at the NAI National Office, but as a 501(c)3 charitable organization, we are allowed some limited rights to these efforts. With the blessing of our Board of Directors we do lend NAI’s support for legislation that benefits all Americans and the many working professionals in cultural and natural heritage. I have just written to Senator Udall (D) of Colorado to urge his support as a cosponsor of S. 866. You can learn more about the S. Bill 866 at this site.
We often see the power of collaboration as being something that lobbyists or interest groups do. This bill is a chance for all of us who care about getting children outdoors for enriched experiences to make our voice heard through a collaborative effort. For more information on No Child Left Inside or to add your organization to the growing list of supporters click here. We can make a difference by making our feelings known to elected officials in a timely manner. The time for support of S.866 is now.
- Tim Merriman
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