HB 2271 unanimously passes the AZ State House and Senate.

Just one day after Earth Day, the Arizona State Senate unanimously passed HB 2271! With the Governor's signature, the bill will officially establish the first Saturday in April to be observed as Arizona Public Lands Day.

The Arizona Public Lands Day Bill (HB 2271) was drafted by a team of conservationists led by Brad Powell, Board President of the Arizona Wildlife Federation (AWF). Among the organizations supporting the bill was AWF Affiliate group, Trout Unlimited. The bill was introduced in the House by Representative Tim Dunn (who is also a member of the Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club, another AWF Affiliate), and in the Senate, was sponsored by Senator Frank Pratt. The bill passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate. The unanimous vote in favor of the bill's passage (60-0 in the House and 30-0 in the Senate) is unprecedented and demonstrates how bipartisan, uniting, and powerful public lands and conservation can be!

Arizona is blessed with a diversity of majestic Public Lands including National Parks and Monuments, State Parks, preserves, National Forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and wilderness area. HB 2271 celebrates those lands. The text of the bill points out how these public lands enrich our lives, positively impact our economy, and support and protect our precious natural resources. Declaring and celebrating a Public Lands Day is a positive way for Arizonan’s to express their love and support for public lands and outdoor recreation. 

Arizona Public Lands Day does not require any state funding or new regulations. While the first Saturday in April will from this time forward be recognized as Arizona Public Lands Day, it is not a legal holiday. None-the-less, Arizonans will be encouraged to get out and enjoy their public lands and it is expected that numerous outdoor-related organizations will host events to help us get out and celebrate Arizona Public Lands Day.