…
\nThrough remarks, discussion, jokes, stories, and even a song\u2014you
\nshowed us how much people your age care about, and yearn to connect
\nmore meaningfully with the outdoors. You listed several reasons for
\nspending time outdoors: from relaxation, and inspiration, team sports,
\nrecreation, and exercise, to discovering historical and cultural sites,
\nto family vacations and school trips. You made it clear that the \u201cgreat
\noutdoors\u201d means something different to everyone, and that your views
\nof and experiences in the natural world depend in large part upon the
\ncircumstances of your childhood and your proximity to outdoor places.
\nFor some of you, going outdoors means traveling to remote places like
\nthe majestic vistas of the Grand Canyon, the hardwood forests of the
\nnortheast, the warm beaches of the Gulf Coast, or the choppy waters of
\nthe Puget Sound. Others of you defined the outdoors as any space beyond
\nyour front doorstep, including local parks and playgrounds, your school\u2019s
\nsports fields, or a greenway that links one part of your city to another.
\nMany of you who grew up in more rural settings viewed the outdoors
\nthrough the perspective of your family\u2019s farm or ranch, conveying a deep
\nunderstanding of\u2014and appreciation for\u2014the streams, trails, and fields
\nthat had been core to your identity since childhood. Similarly, the range
\nof what you do in the outdoors ranges from walking your dog and playing
\ngames like capture the flag, to organized team sports, to more extreme
\nactivities, such as rock climbing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, and
\nmotocross. Many of you were devoted campers and hikers, and spoke
\nof your skills in fishing, hunting, and archery. In general, though, you
\nappeared more likely to visit places close to home, often accompanied by
\nfriends or family.
\n
…
\nThroughout the listening sessions, we observed evidence of a generational
\nshift in the way young people think about and experience nature. Most
\nof the adults we engaged in the general listening sessions told stories of
\nchildhoods spent outdoors: farming, hunting, fishing, horseback and
\nbike riding, exploring the woods, and sleeping under the stars. Now,
\nonly some of you could personally relate to those experiences. Many
\nmore of you describe the outdoors as remote, mysterious, and sometimes,
\nscary. Likewise, several of you told us that you do not have the \u201cskills\u201d
\nnecessary to participate in activities like camping, hiking, and mountain
\nbiking. More importantly, you said that nobody ever took you outside.
\nIndeed, those of you who had spent a lot of time outside attributed your
\nfamiliarity with\u2014and appreciation for\u2014nature to the parents, caregivers,
\nteachers, mentors, or camp instructors who had instilled these values in
\nyou as young children
\n
…
\nYour ideas for ensuring that all young people have access to safe clean,
\nand close to home outdoor places:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Create more parks near and in communities, including networks of … Through remarks, discussion, jokes, stories, and even a song\u2014you 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 … <\/p>\n
\nconnected trails, bike paths, and greenways, and urban gardens and community \u201cpocket parks.
\n
…
\nThrough the AGO listening sessions and public input process, we
\nlearned that there is a powerful consensus across America that outdoor
\nspaces\u2014public and private, large and small, urban and rural\u2014remain
\nessential to our quality of life, our economy, and our national identity.
\nAmericans communicated clearly that they care deeply about our outdoor
\nheritage, want to enjoy and protect it, and are willing to take collective
\nresponsibility to protect it for their children and grandchildren. In fact,
\nthey are already doing so. They are restoring rivers and streams, building
\nand improving hiking trails and bike paths, ensuring the long-term
\nconservation of their private lands, sponsoring beach and roadside
\ncleanups, planting trees and gardens, and restoring migratory bird habitat
\nand populations.
\n
…
\nParticipants also discussed youth stewardship programs for the next
\ngeneration. They talked about programs that engage Americans with the
\noutdoors through biking, hiking, hunting, canoeing, off-roading, skiing,
\nand other recreational activities. They described initiatives that encourage
\nparents to get their children outside. One listening session was devoted
\nto the cutting-edge topic of the connections between outdoor experiences
\nand improved mental and physical health. Other sessions focused on the
\nspecial relationship that tribal communities have with nature, culture,
\nand the outdoors.
\n
…
\n
\nhttps:\/\/americasgreatoutdoors.gov\/files\/2011\/02\/AGO-Report-Report-Only-2-7-11.pdf<\/a>oldId.20110307104113150<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"