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."
[+]
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 | Campaign/Initiative
JUST ADDED: Public Listening Sessions on America’s Great Outdoors Initiative in UT, MN, NY
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 | Campaign/Initiative
– July 20, 2010
AGO Listening Session in Philadelphia July 27 to Focus on Historic Preservation
Opportunities continue to join the conversation about America's Great Outdoors, Also in San Francisco July 23. [+] [PDF]
Allies | Campaign/Initiative
– July 17, 2010
NEW: YOUTH Public Listening Session on America’s Great Outdoors in San Francisco July 23
People ages 16-25 are invited to join the conversation about America's Great Outdoors. Next: Phila. 7/27. [+]
Allies | Campaign/Initiative
– July 09, 2010
PUBLIC LISTENING SESSIONS ON THE PRESIDENT’S AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS INITIATIVE
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. [+]
International | Access | Campaign/Initiative
Herald Scotland – June 29, 2010
Helping Kids to Play Outdoors
By Vicki Allan
Scotland's Children & Nature movement is gaining support from government, parents and schools.
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Press Release
– June 21, 2010
$20 million federal grant initiative designed to help disadvantaged youth prepare for jobs in the outdoors
US Departments of Labor, Interior and Agriculture jointly announce new federal partnership to provide support for youth to work in the great outdoors [+]
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As part of our ongoing efforts to build the movement, the Children & Nature Network has published two new resources for leaders, organizers, and participants at the local, national, and international levels:
