…
Through remarks, discussion, jokes, stories, and even a song—you
showed us how much people your age care about, and yearn to connect
more meaningfully with the outdoors. You listed several reasons for
spending time outdoors: from relaxation, and inspiration, team sports,
recreation, and exercise, to discovering historical and cultural sites,
to family vacations and school trips. You made it clear that the “great
outdoors” means something different to everyone, and that your views
of and experiences in the natural world depend in large part upon the
circumstances of your childhood and your proximity to outdoor places.
For some of you, going outdoors means traveling to remote places like
the majestic vistas of the Grand Canyon, the hardwood forests of the
northeast, the warm beaches of the Gulf Coast, or the choppy waters of
the Puget Sound. Others of you defined the outdoors as any space beyond
your front doorstep, including local parks and playgrounds, your school’s
sports fields, or a greenway that links one part of your city to another.
Many of you who grew up in more rural settings viewed the outdoors
through the perspective of your family’s farm or ranch, conveying a deep
understanding of—and appreciation for—the streams, trails, and fields
that had been core to your identity since childhood. Similarly, the range
of what you do in the outdoors ranges from walking your dog and playing
games like capture the flag, to organized team sports, to more extreme
activities, such as rock climbing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, and
motocross. Many of you were devoted campers and hikers, and spoke
of your skills in fishing, hunting, and archery. In general, though, you
appeared more likely to visit places close to home, often accompanied by
friends or family.
…
Throughout the listening sessions, we observed evidence of a generational
shift in the way young people think about and experience nature. Most
of the adults we engaged in the general listening sessions told stories of
childhoods spent outdoors: farming, hunting, fishing, horseback and
bike riding, exploring the woods, and sleeping under the stars. Now,
only some of you could personally relate to those experiences. Many
more of you describe the outdoors as remote, mysterious, and sometimes,
scary. Likewise, several of you told us that you do not have the “skills”
necessary to participate in activities like camping, hiking, and mountain
biking. More importantly, you said that nobody ever took you outside.
Indeed, those of you who had spent a lot of time outside attributed your
familiarity with—and appreciation for—nature to the parents, caregivers,
teachers, mentors, or camp instructors who had instilled these values in
you as young children
…
Your ideas for ensuring that all young people have access to safe clean,
and close to home outdoor places:
• Create more parks near and in communities, including networks of
connected trails, bike paths, and greenways, and urban gardens and community “pocket parks.
…
Through the AGO listening sessions and public input process, we
learned that there is a powerful consensus across America that outdoor
spaces—public and private, large and small, urban and rural—remain
essential to our quality of life, our economy, and our national identity.
Americans communicated clearly that they care deeply about our outdoor
heritage, want to enjoy and protect it, and are willing to take collective
responsibility to protect it for their children and grandchildren. In fact,
they are already doing so. They are restoring rivers and streams, building
and improving hiking trails and bike paths, ensuring the long-term
conservation of their private lands, sponsoring beach and roadside
cleanups, planting trees and gardens, and restoring migratory bird habitat
and populations.
…
Participants also discussed youth stewardship programs for the next
generation. They talked about programs that engage Americans with the
outdoors through biking, hiking, hunting, canoeing, off-roading, skiing,
and other recreational activities. They described initiatives that encourage
parents to get their children outside. One listening session was devoted
to the cutting-edge topic of the connections between outdoor experiences
and improved mental and physical health. Other sessions focused on the
special relationship that tribal communities have with nature, culture,
and the outdoors.
…
https://americasgreatoutdoors.gov/files/2011/02/AGO-Report-Report-Only-2-7-11.pdfoldId.20110307104113150