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U.S. Forest Service Encourages Kids to Get Outdoors

Press Office

Washington, -

In an effort to reconnect kids with nature and attract new diverse communities to outdoor activities, the U.S. Forest Service has partnered with state, local and federal land management agencies to celebrate 'National Get Outdoors Day' on June 14. More than 45 locations nationwide are providing a variety of free recreational events designed to introduce children and new segments of the American public to the great outdoors while fostering a deeper appreciation for natural resources.

"We want every child in America to have the opportunity to experience the great outdoors, whether it is in a remote mountain wilderness or a city park," said Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell. "More so now than at any other time in history, our children are experiencing a disconnection from nature. Our hope is to reverse that trend while instilling a curiosity about nature and a deeper appreciation of precious natural resources."

National Get Outdoors Day is co-sponsored by the Forest Service and the American Recreation Coalition. The new annual event has been designated to better engage urban and multicultural youth in nature-based activities and to attract first time visitors to public lands.

A listing of all national site locations is attached. More information on National Get Outdoors Day and Kids in the Woods can be found at:

www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org and www.fs.fed.us/kidsclimatechange.

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land and is the largest forestry research organization in the world.

NATIONAL GET OUTDOORS DAY LOCATIONS - 2008

Alabama

Tuskegee National Forest

Tuskegee, AL

Alaska

Chugach National Forest

Portage Valley, AK

Arizona

Tonto National Forest

Mesa, AZ

Grand Canal Linear Park

Glendale, AZ

California

Angeles National Forest

Los Angeles, CA

Big Bear Discovery Center

Fawnskin, CA

Desert Discovery Center

Barstow, CA

Huntington Lake

Lakeshore, CA

Mountain High Resort

Wrightwood, CA

Colorado

Sloan's Lake Park

Denver, CO

Connecticut

Connecticut State Parks

District of Columbia

Anacostia Park

Washington, DC

Delaware

The Delaware State Fairgrounds

Harrington, DE

Georgia

Cator Woolfoord Gardens at the Frazier Center

Atlanta, GA

Idaho

Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Coeur d'Alene, ID

Illinois

National Great Rivers Museum at Melvin Price Locks and Dam

East Alton, IL

Kansas

Cedar Bluff State Park

Ellis, KS

Clinton Lake

Lawrence, KS

Melvern Lake & Pomona Lake

Vassar, KS

Kentucky

Red River Gorge National Scenic Byway

Stanton, KY

Louisiana

Camp Te Ca Towazi

Bogalusa, LA

Maryland

Fort McHenry

Baltimore, MD

Michigan

The Henry Ford

Dearborn, MI

Minnesota

Chippewa National Forest

Cass Lake, MN

Fort Snelling State Park

St. Paul, MN

Missouri

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area

St. Louis, MO

Wappapello Lake

Wappapello, MO

Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary

West Alton, MO

Montana

Lewis and Clark National Forest

Great Falls, MT

Makoshika State Park

Glendive, MT

New Mexico

Cibola National Forest

Albuquerque, NM

Nevada

Callville Bay Marina

Lake Mead, NV

Washoe Lake State Park

Carson City, NV

New York

Seaway Trail Discovery Center

Sackets Harbor, NY

Black Pond Wildlife Management Area

Ellisburg, NY

Pennsylvania

Chapman State Park - adjacent to Allegheny National Forest

Warren County, PA

Keystone State Park

Derry, PA

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

Elverson, PA

Nockamixon State Park

Quakertown, PA

Puerto Rico

El Yunque National Forest

Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

South Dakota

Lake Oahe

Pierre, SD

Texas

Hazel Bazemore Park

Corpus Christi, TX

Utah

Historic John Jarvie Ranch

Browns Park, UT

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort

Snowbird, UT

Virginia

Boy Scouts of America Camp William Snyder

Haymarket, VA

Wyoming

Shoshone National Forest

Dubois, WY

https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/newsroom/releases/us-forest-service-encourages-kids-get-outdoors