[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4981-S4982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF GET OUTDOORS NEVADA

 Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, I rise today to celebrate 
the 25th anniversary of Get Outdoors Nevada, a nonprofit organization 
based in southern Nevada.
  For 25 years, Get Outdoors Nevada has provided education and 
facilitated community volunteer services. Originally founded as the 
Outside Las Vegas Foundation, in 2018, it became Get Outdoors Nevada 
and broadened its mission to support all of Nevada's outdoor 
experiences. They have connected over 218,000 people of all ages and 
backgrounds to the outdoors by providing opportunities to experience, 
learn about, and care for Nevada's natural and urban outdoor spaces. 
Since 2012, the nonprofit has hosted 933 volunteer events, raised $2.5 
million, and coordinated 82,897 hours of volunteer service.

[[Page S4982]]

  The 25th anniversary is the perfect opportunity to celebrate how the 
organization has advanced environmental education, community volunteer 
efforts, and local outreach. Their hands-on impact can be seen across 
southern Nevada, from supporting habitat restoration in the Mojave 
Desert to working to preserve the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. By 
planting hundreds of trees and native plants, they continue to directly 
nurture local wildlife and enhance our community's biodiversity.
  In partnership with Nevada's public land agencies, just last year, 
they were able to collect 15,056 pounds of trash, engage 3,035 
volunteers, and coordinate 7,204 hours of service. Beyond community 
cleanups, they directly connect local students and teachers to southern 
Nevada's unique ecosystems through their ``Learning in Nature'' 
program, which offers classroom programs and outdoor field trips. These 
tailored educational sessions explore vital topics ranging from local 
biodiversity and pollinator conservation to career paths in 
environmental fields. Ultimately they continue to work toward a world 
where everyone has access to, benefits from, and cares for our shared 
outdoor spaces.
  As we celebrate 25 years of Get Outdoors Nevada, I want to recognize 
all of their dedicated staff and leadership who have passionately 
advocated for outdoor exploration and preservation in Nevada. Their 
work has brought the entire community together to preserve our public 
lands through volunteer work and education. I also want to thank Alan 
O'Neill, who founded the Outside Las Vegas Foundation and served as its 
first executive director for his work to make this milestone possible 
and his lifetime commitment to our public lands.
  I am proud to celebrate this important anniversary. Thank you to Get 
Outdoors Nevada for their immense time and dedication given to Nevada 
over the last 25 years. Their work is vital to conserving Nevada's 
public lands so they can be enjoyed by all for years to come.

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