The way children understand and experience their natural world has changed radically over the past several decades.  Children spend more time inside on the computer, playing video games, or watching television, and less time outdoors.  Their physical contact with the natural outdoors has diminished greatly, and their inability to connect with nature is now a national issue of concern impacting their sense of stewardship for the earth and their psychological and physical health. 

Get Outdoors, It’s Yours! is a national campaign focused on getting America’s youth outside and engaging with nature.  The campaign will raise awareness of the opportunities for America’s youth to connect with nature on public lands and waterways. 

All eight Federal land and water management agencies (Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey) are participating in the Get Outdoors, It’s Yours! initiative. 

State and local land managers, nonprofit organizations, and conservation groups have also joined these Federal agencies to help spread the word about outdoor activity and its benefits to the health and education of future generations, and the stewardship of America’s natural resources. 

To date, the following organizations have signed a pledge of cooperation to partner in the effort to reengage children with the natural world:  National Recreation and Park Association, National Association of State Park Directors, National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers, City Park Alliance, National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, American Forests, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the National Wildlife Federation.

Individuals at all levels of government and nonprofit organizations are partnering together to encourage children and their families to spend more time participating in outdoor activities whether through educational programs, simple recreation, or stewardship activities.

The Get Outdoors, It’s Yours! web site is a comprehensive and unified resource for learning about opportunities to get involved in outdoor recreation, education and stewardship.  This resource provides information about opportunities for water sports, hiking, biking, birding, wildlife viewing, hunting, horseback riding, fishing, camping, climbing, and other outdoor activities on public land and water units.  Although the primary emphasis of the initiative is to encourage children to spend more time exploring the great outdoors, these activities also have tremendous benefits to the health and well being of adults!

For more information, please see the Get Outdoors, It’s Yours! web site:

www.getoutdoorsitsyours.gov

Press Release:

Additional Information:

• Fact Sheet
• Federal Pledge of Cooperation
• Non-Federal Pledge of Cooperation