Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-09-24

RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF GET OUTDOORS NEVADA

TaxesEnvironmentForeign PolicyTradeEducation

Context

On 2026-09-24, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF GET OUTDOORS NEVADA" in the Senate.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF GET OUTDOORS NEVADA

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026) [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. ____________________

View original source →

RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF GET OUTDOORS NEVADA Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026) [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. ____________________