---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 8501"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "8501"
heading: "Promotion of outdoor recreation for military servicemembers and veterans"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/8501"
units:
  - "Chapter 103 — Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences"
  - "Subchapter II — Access America"
  - "Part B — Military and Veterans in Parks"
---

# §8501. Promotion of outdoor recreation for military servicemembers and veterans


Not later than 2 years after January 4, 2025, the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8), in coordination with the [Secretary](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7) of Veterans Affairs and the [Secretary](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7) of Defense, shall develop educational and public awareness materials to disseminate to members of the Armed Forces and veterans, including through preseparation counseling of the Transition Assistance [Program](/usc/16/460ss–6.md?p=1) under chapter[^1] 1142 of [title 10](/usc/10.md), on—

- (1) opportunities for members of the Armed Forces and veterans to access [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2) free of charge under [section 6804 of this title](/usc/16/6804.md);
- (2) the availability and location of [accessible trails](/usc/16/8471.md?p=1), including new [accessible trails](/usc/16/8471.md?p=1) developed and completed under [section 8484 of this title](/usc/16/8484.md);
- (3) the availability and location of accessible recreation opportunities, including new accessible recreation opportunities developed and completed under [section 8485 of this title](/usc/16/8485.md);
- (4) access to, and assistance with, [assistive technology](/usc/16/8471.md?p=3);
- (5) outdoor-related volunteer and wellness [programs](/usc/16/460ss–6.md?p=1);
- (6) the benefits of outdoor recreation for physical and mental health;
- (7) [resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) to access guided outdoor trips and other outdoor [programs](/usc/16/460ss–6.md?p=1) connected to the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of the Interior, or the Department of Agriculture; and
- (8) [programs](/usc/16/460ss–6.md?p=1) and jobs focused on continuing national service such as Public Land [Corps](/usc/16/1722.md?p=2), AmeriCorps, and [conservation](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) [corps](/usc/16/1722.md?p=2) [programs](/usc/16/460ss–6.md?p=1).

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be “section”.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 118–234, title II, § 221, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2886.)