President Obama Proclaims June 2016 “Great Outdoors Month”
WASHINGTON, DC – The Corps Network supports President Barack Obama’s issuance of a presidential proclamation officially marking June 2016 as Great Outdoors Month.
Great Outdoors Month features a range of events and activities in celebration of outdoor recreation and America’s public lands and waters. Events are hosted throughout the country by national, state, and local governments, as well as conservation-oriented nonprofit organizations, including The Corps Network, American Hiking Society and the National Wildlife Federation. The Corps Network recognizes Great Outdoors Month through a Day of Service on public lands in Washington, DC.
According to the American Recreation Coalition, what started as “Great Outdoors Week” under President Clinton in 1998 has grown significantly under both the Bush and Obama administrations into today’s month-long celebration of the outdoors and all the benefits it brings – including an annual economic impact of $650 billion nationwide.
In his proclamation, President Obams highlights his Administration’s efforts to support more youth getting outdoors, and cites the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) initiative, saying “… by increasing funding for the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps, we are striving to give more Americans hands-on opportunities to restore, enhance, and give back to the outdoor spaces that have given us so much.”
The President & CEO of the Corps Network and Co-Chair of the Partnership for the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps, Mary Ellen Sprenkel, said in response to the proclamation:
“On behalf of our 130+ member Corps across the country, and the tens of thousands of youth and veterans that serve in Corps each year, we extend our sincere appreciation to President Obama for the proclamation and for his support of the 21CSC.” She continued, “Being part of Great Outdoors Month is a critical way to engage more partners, youth, and veterans in the getting outdoors but also in learning about stewardship through national service of our public natural resources.”
The Corps Network will host its annual Great Outdoors Month Day of Service in the Nation’s Capital on Friday, June 17, 2016. This year’s event will take place at the FDR Memorial and Rock Creek Park; participants will include youth from Corps across the country, as well as many friends and partners of the Corps movement.
About The Corps Network
The Corps Network provides leadership and support to over 130 of America’s Service and Conservation Corps. Through advocacy, access to funding opportunities and expert guidance, The Corps Network annually enables over 24,000 Corpsmembers, ages 16-25, to strengthen communities, improve the environment and transform their lives through service.
To learn more about The Corps Network, please visit www.corpsnetwork.org.
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