The Vet Space, in partnership with Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga, invites organizations, advocates, and community leaders to support Senate Bill 190 (SB 190)—the Georgia Honor and Wellness Act, introduced by Senator Kenya Wicks, a 30-year retired U.S. Army veteran.

SB 190 will be considered during the 2026 Georgia Legislative Session (January 12 – April 6, 2026) and seeks to grant free entry to Georgia State Parks for:

• Veterans

• Active-duty service members

• Gold Star families

• Military families

Why SB 190 Matters

At its core, SB 190 recognizes a truth we know through lived experience: nature is healing.

Access to outdoor spaces supports mental health, physical well-being, family connection, and long-term resilience for those who have served. For women veterans, disabled veterans, aging veterans, and those navigating post-service transitions, time in nature is not a luxury—it is often a lifeline.

A 2025 study on veteran access to the outdoors found that 44% of veterans in metro Atlanta do not have access to nature within a 10-minute walk from their homes. SB 190 removes cost as a barrier, expanding access to healing spaces that may otherwise be out of reach.

Veterans’ Access Is Also an Economic Opportunity

Discussions about park fees often focus on potential revenue loss. However, this framing overlooks the economic ripple effect created by park visitation.

When veterans and their families visit Georgia State Parks, they don’t simply enter and leave. They spend money in nearby communities—on gas, groceries, restaurants, outfitters, lodging, rentals, and local attractions—supporting small businesses and rural economies.

Georgia is home to a significant service-connected population:

• 656,509 veterans

• 63,391 active-duty service members

• 26,541 Reserve and National Guard members

That’s 746,441 Georgians with a direct connection to military service.

Even under conservative assumptions—if just 10% of this population would otherwise purchase a $70 annual park pass—the estimated $5.2 million should be viewed not as lost revenue, but as a seed investment in local economic activity. A Georgia outdoor recreation plan found that travel parties visiting Georgia State Parks spend an average of $633 per trip, with campers spending even more.

Georgia Is Not Alone

SB 190 aligns Georgia with proven, successful models nationwide:

• Texas offers the Parklands Passport, providing free state park entry for honorably discharged veterans.

• Alabama provides free admission to veterans and active-duty service members through its #ParksforPatriots program.

These programs show that honoring service, promoting healing, and supporting local economies are complementary—not competing—priorities.

Practical, Sustainable Implementation

SB 190 also offers a streamlined approach to access using documentation already in place, such as:

• Retired military ID

• Georgia driver’s license with “Veteran” designation

• VA ID card

• Common Access Card (CAC) for active-duty or Guard/Reserve members

Under this model, the service member or veteran receives free entry while minimizing administrative burden and maintaining revenue for the Department of Natural Resources.

A Call to Stand Together

SB 190 shifts the conversation beyond park passes to what truly matters: visitation, engagement, healing, and community connection. Every visit strengthens public lands, supports local economies, and reflects Georgia’s commitment to those who served.

As we prepare to engage legislators across the House and Senate during the 2026 session, a strong and unified show of support from veteran-serving organizations and community partners is essential.

We invite your organization to stand with us in supporting SB 190—championing access, healing, and economic vitality for veterans, families, and Georgia communities alike.

If you’re aligned with this effort, we would be honored to include your name in support.

— The Vet Space & Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga

 To add your name to the letter: