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Bill would expand Nevada outdoor recreation grant program to allow infrastructure and public grants
Summary
Senate Bill 21 would broaden the Nevada Outdoor Education and Recreation Grant Program to fund both student-focused programming and supporting infrastructure and public recreation projects, supporters said. Presenters said the change responds to strong demand and limited one-time funds; no committee vote occurred.
Denise Beronio, administrator of the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation (NDOOR), told the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources that Senate Bill 21 would expand the Nevada Outdoor Education and Recreation Grant Program to create two dedicated funding tracks: one prioritizing student-focused programs and another funding infrastructure and public programming.
Beronio said the grant program was created by the Legislature and remained unfunded until a one-time appropriation of $500,000 during the last session; a separate one-time Nevada Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Grant program awarded about $615,000 in 2023. NDOOR staff and presenters said demand far outstripped those funds: 57 projects were funded statewide but 163 proposals requested roughly $4.2 million.
“The program works when there are both safe, accessible places and programming to use them,” Beronio said. SB 21, she said, would allow the administrator to run separate funding rounds and to consider small infrastructure projects — shaded areas, ADA improvements, trails and nature-center amenities — alongside youth programming while keeping student programming a priority.
Multiple organizations testified in support, including the Nevada Outdoor Business Coalition, University of Nevada, Reno extension program representatives, the Vegas Chamber and the Nevada Conservation League. Supporters cited evaluation results and program outcomes presented by NDOOR: in 2024, NDOOR-reported figures showed 10,944 students spent over 25,855 hours outdoors and the funded programming supported 57 jobs. Witnesses said expanding the program to include infrastructure would help communities provide year-round, accessible outdoor learning and strengthen Nevada’s outdoor-economy potential.
Committee members asked about outreach and how the program advertises grant opportunities; Beronio said NDOOR has launched a website, uses email, social media and partnerships to reach potential applicants, and is building recognition for the division’s programs such as astrotourism and the Capital Christmas tree initiative.
Support testimony was recorded from statewide education, business and conservation stakeholders; the committee did not take a vote during the hearing.
