Military Outdoors
https://www.sierraclub.org/military-outdoors

Military Outdoors (SCMO) is at the forefront of a national movement to ensure every veteran in America has an opportunity to get outdoors when they return home after service.

Military Outdoors trips are led by former service members with outdoor leadership training.

About Our Program

The goal of Military Outdoors is to improve the lives of veterans and their families through connections with the outdoors and inspire members of the military and veteran community to become outspoken champions for environmental conservation and justice.

The Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act has passed the Senate!

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Activities Calendar
Military Outdoors trips are led by former service members with outdoor leadership training. Want to volunteer as a leader with Military Outdoors in your local area? If you're interested in becoming a Military Outdoors leader, contact us at military.outdoors@sierraclub.org and be sure to include your current city, state of residence.


Donate to the Military Outdoors Program

Your donation will help ensure that those who defended our country and their families get to enjoy the land they served.

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The Land We Defend
A story of seven military veterans, strangers before connecting in the wilderness.


Articles

AVRO Is a Victory for Veterans and Public Lands
Growing Stronger Together
New York’s Outdoors Rx Act Will Improve Accessibility to Public Lands for All of Us

Press Releases


Sierra Club Organizer Named to New York Veterans Health Task Force
December 18, 2020

Albany, N.Y. -- The New York State Division of Veteran Services has appointed Lt. Col. (retired) Aaron Leonard to co-lead the task force charged with implementing the state’s recently enacted Outdoor Rx Act. Leonard currently serves as a Sierra Club Military Outdoors campaign representative.

The law, originally sponsored by Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Sen. Brian Benjamin, seeks to remove barriers that prevent New York veterans from accessing the state’s public lands to heal from service-related injuries and trauma.
Landmark Veterans’ Health Act Signed Into Law
December 6, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors (AVRO) Act was signed into law as part of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act (H.R.8247), a package of bills addressing healthcare and suicide prevention for veterans.

Sierra Club Welcomes Passage of New York Veterans Health Bill
November 11, 2020

Albany, N.Y. -- Today, November 11, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Outdoor Rx Act into law. The bill seeks to removes barriers that prevent New York veterans from accessing the state’s public lands to heal from service-related injuries and trauma. The bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Didi Barrett and Sen. Brian Benjamin, passed both houses of the New York State Assembly in February. In response, Lt. Col. (retired) Aaron Leonard, Sierra Club Military Outdoors Campaign Representative, released the following statement:

Sierra Club Celebrates Final Passage of Veterans’ Health Act
November 10, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tonight, the United States Senate passed the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors (AVRO) Act as a provision of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act (H.R.8247), a package of bills addressing healthcare and suicide prevention for veterans. The House of Representatives passed the bill September 23, and it now awaits the president’s signature.
House Passes Critical Veterans Health Package
September 23, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, September 23, the House of Representatives passed the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act (H.R.8247). The package’s nine provisions aim to reduce veteran suici