Golden, Colorado (March 1, 2007) - Some 250 leaders from government agencies, the non-profit community and corporations gathered in Golden, Colorado to share ideas and information regarding the roles of public lands and waters in America today and tomorrow.

Labeled “Turning Inside Out - Opening New Doors to the Outdoors,” the session was the first of five regional recreation forums convened by the American Recreation Coalition (ARC) and the National Forest Foundation and planned by key organizations ranging from the USDA Forest Service to the Colorado Youth Corps Alliance.

To read a summary of the forum, click here.

For pictures, click here.

Josh Morrison, a 15 year old student at White Plains High School in Calhoun County, Alabama, noticed that his generation had lost touch with the natural world, captured by the virtual world of PS3, Wii and IPODs. In response to that disturbing trend and inspired by Richard Louv's book "Last Child in the Woods" and his mother, Renee Morrison, an educator for the Jacksonville State University Field Schools, Josh created a group called "GEEKs in the Woods". Now, Joshua and his friends are reaching out to their generation and promoting nature through outdoor experiences and the group's website at www.geeksinthewoods.org

Mark your calendar to attend the first Recreation Forum, to be held on March 1 in Golden, Colorado. For more information about how to participate - and to read a list of ideas ready to be deposited in the "Recreation Idea Bank", click here.

Washington, D.C. (May 1, 2007) - Nearly 200 public and private-sector recreation leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. yesterday for a National Recreation Forum focused on the opportunities and challenges facing outdoor recreation in the 21st century. The National Forum, which was convened by the American Recreation Coalition and the National Forest Foundation, was the culmination of a series of Regional Recreation Forums held throughout the country during March. The day-long national gathering began with four concurrent sessions hosted by nine national organizations and the USDA Forest Service, followed by a plenary session in the afternoon. The sessions’ enthusiastic participants shared ideas and success stories, learned about exciting new programs, and identified opportunities for partnerships to improve recreation resources across the country.

The American Recreation Coalition and the National Forest Foundation will convene a national Recreation Forum in Washington, D.C., on April 30, 2007, designed to provide national organizations opportunities to:

• Review recommendations from five regional forums conducted across the nation in March 2007;


• identify unmet needs and challenges facing recreation on public lands;


• provide examples of successful and innovative efforts to provide the nation with outstanding outdoor recreation experiences on public lands, and especially national forests; and

To view the White Paper, click here.

To download the final report on all six Recreation Forums, click here.

Recreation leaders and others who understand the benefits arising from recreation in America will have an extraordinary opportunity to shape the future of recreation opportunities through participation in a series of Recreation Forums to be held across the nation in March and April 2007.

To read more about the forums, see agendas and register to attend a forum, click here.

Washington, D.C. (March 26, 2007) - With five regional Recreation Forums completed and the final national Forum in its final planning stage, American Recreation Coalition President Derrick Crandall declared the Forums initiative a success. Some 1,000 persons have participated in the Forums and a valuable collection of successes and ideas has been gathered.

Forums have been held in Golden, Colorado, at the American Mountaineering Center, in Marietta, Georgia, at the Cobb County senior services complex, in Arcadia, California, at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, in Troutdale, Oregon, in the Columbia River Gorge, and in Chicago, Illinois at the South Shore Cultural Center. A supplementary session was held in Reno, Nevada, in conjunction with a meeting of the National Forest Recreation Association.

Washington, DC (March 30, 2007) - The American Recreation Coalition and the National Forest Foundation today announced additional information about the National Recreation Forum to take place in Washington, DC on April 30, 2007. The National Forum complements five regional Recreation Forums conducted during March 2007.

The forum will commence with four topical sessions meeting concurrently between 10:00 A.M. and noon at various locations across the city. Each topical session is hosted by leading national organizations. The forum continues with a plenary session from 1:00 - 5:00 P.M. at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Auditorium at 1200 New York Avenue, NW and will begin with welcoming remarks from leaders of the nation's federal land management agencies. A reception for participants will follow the plenary session.