EXPLORE Act Passes Senate, Landmark Legislation to Enhance Public Lands Access for Sportsmen and Women. The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) celebrates the United States Senate’s passage of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, sending the most comprehensive public lands package since 2019 to the President’s desk.
This bipartisan legislation marks a pivotal moment for outdoor recreation and public lands access, advancing several critical priorities of the sporting community.
“The passage of the EXPLORE Act underscores the power of collaboration in advancing access to America’s public lands,” said Gray N. Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “From streamlining permitting for small film crews to enhancing recreational shooting opportunities, this bill delivers practical solutions to the challenges faced by federal land managers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. It reflects a shared commitment to conserving and promoting our outdoor heritage.”
Key provisions of the EXPLORE Act include:
- Expanding Recreational Shooting Opportunities: Mandates the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to provide at least one public shooting range in each district, fostering safe and accessible locations for target shooting.
- Advancing the FILM Act: Simplifies permitting for small film crews (six individuals or fewer), ensuring they are no longer subjected to the same regulations as large-scale productions. This change benefits filmmakers promoting conservation and public lands use while safeguarding Fair Chase hunting ethics.
- Passing the CAPE Act: To provide additional flexibility for individuals serving as “qualified volunteers” in executing National Park Service wildlife management prescriptions.
Thornton added, “We extend our gratitude to House Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman (R-AR), as well as Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee leaders, Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) for championing this legislation. Their leadership, along with the dedication of many other Members, reaffirms the importance of access and stewardship for the benefit of all Americans.”
The Wild Sheep Foundation stands ready to support the implementation of the EXPLORE Act, reinforcing its mission to “Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain”® while fostering responsible outdoor recreation and conservation.
The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), based in Bozeman, Mont., was founded in 1977 by sportsmen and other wild sheep conservationists. WSF is the premier advocate for wild sheep, having raised and expended more than $145 million, positively impacting these species through population and habitat enhancements, research and education, and conservation advocacy programs in North America, Europe, and Asia to “Put and Keep Wild Sheep On the Mountain”®. In North America, these and other efforts have increased bighorn sheep populations from historic lows in the 1950s-60s of 25,000 to more than 85,000 today. WSF has a membership of more than 10,000 worldwide. www.wildsheepfoundation.org
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