Legislation/Policy News
National | Access
Department of the Interior – February 08, 2010
Salazar Unveils New “Youth in the Great Outdoors” Initiative
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar emphasized the importance of connecting young people with nature when he proposed significant expansion of the Youth in the Great Outdoors initiative. “The future of America’s treasured landscapes depends upon the next generation’s understanding of and connection to the great outdoors," said Salazar. As part of his FY 2011 budget proposal, Salazar is requesting large increases in education and recreation programs that engage youth of all ages. [+]
National
Gotham Gazette – November 30, 2009
Congress Considers Federal Funding for City Parks
By Anne Schwartz
Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would provide federal funding for urban parks and recreation for the first time in eight years. Among the benefits cited by those supporting the funding: improving and increasing the number of places where children can play outdoors, get involved in sports, and experience nature.
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State
WREX - Rockford Illinois – February 26, 2009
Quinn Reverses Blago Decision, Reopens Seven State Parks
By Samantha Ptashkin
On February 26, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn gave the order to reopen seven state parks. Quinn said in a news conference, "We have perhaps among children and adults and everybody in our state a 'nature-deficit disorder' and we've got to cure that ailment and there's one way to do it. All of us have to get outside."
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State
New State DNR Chief Has Long-Standing Love of Outdoors
Mark Miller's father and grandfather taught him that if he took care of nature, nature would take care of him. Miller, appointed by Governor Quinn to head the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, has two main goals during his tenure: to increase outdoor opportunities of all kinds and to get more young people outside.
“We spent a lot of my early childhood (on the farm). It was a wonderful place to connect with the land.”
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Allies | National | Campaign/Initiative
America's Great Outdoors – August 30, 2010
COMMENT & VOTE ONLINE: Participate in America’s Great Outdoors Conversation
Voting tool helps everyone join conversation on America's Great Outdoors. Report to go to Pres. Obama. [+]
Allies | Health | Campaign/Initiative
IditarodBlogs.com – August 25, 2010
Kids Need Nature
By Carmen Field
C&NN member Carmen Field highlights campaigns and programs to reconnect children with nature, including Idita-Nature. Photo: Martin Renner.
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CNNMoney.com – August 16, 2010
National Park Service is Hiring: Hundreds of Jobs to Open in Next 5 Years
By Aaron Smith
The NPS is aggressively recruiting college students for positions that could lead to full-time jobs.
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Health | Campaign/Initiative
– August 18, 2010
Chicago Listening Session 8/31: Health & the Great Outdoors
August 31 Listening Session on Health and the Great Outdoors will be held at Northwestern U School of Law in Chicago. [+] [PDF]
Allies | Campaign/Initiative
JUST ADDED: Public Listening Sessions on America’s Great Outdoors Initiative in MO, FL,TN, IL, SD, ME
Senior government officials are hosting listening sessions in a range of locations around the U.S. On April 16, 2010, President Obama established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to develop a conservation and recreation agenda for the 21st century. The President understands that efforts for protecting and restoring lands and waters, and reconnecting people to the outdoors, must be community driven. [+]
Allies
Redrock Headlines – July 28, 2010
America’s Great Outdoors in New Mexico
By Don Boyd
Read a report from the NM Listening Session featuring youth.
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