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Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell Seeks to Close Gap Between Kids and Nature
News Releases
Posted on Wed, 08/29/2007 - 13:50.
Washington, DC - (August 27, 2007) - Gail Kimbell, Chief of the USDA Forest Service, spoke to the August Recreation Exchange about her passion for the national forests and her commitment to introducing “more kids to the woods.” As a native New Englander, Chief Kimball has fond memories of the White Mountain National Forest. Her childhood memories strengthen her bond to the national forests and she hopes to encourage these types of connections for future visitors. Chief Kimbell discussed her agenda for closing the gap between nature and kids and shared her belief that programs designed to serve youth can lead to connections to other segments of the American public.
Chief Kimbell told the group that as she traveled across the country getting to know the issues the American people cared about, she heard many people expressing their concern for the future of forests. Ms. Kimbell noted that the American people recognize the pleasurable benefits, as well as the physical and spiritual benefits, that the forests bring to our well-being.
The Inception of “More Kids in the Woods” Chief Kimbell also regards reconnecting today’s youth to the outdoors as essential for the future of sustainable forests and healthy public lands. She said that through early connections to the outdoors, the youth of today will become the conservation leaders of tomorrow. She emphasized the importance of nurturing this sense of responsibility and civic duty to ensure continuing care for our lands.
Success for “More Kids in the Woods” Chief Kimbell pointed out that “More Kids in the Woods” was not the Forest Service’s first attempt to reach out to youngsters but its success focused and energized the outreach commitment as a priority for the agency. Ms. Kimbell told the audience that the “More Kids in the Woods” program has already made a difference. She cited a letter she had received from Karen, a 15-year- old inner-city Houston participant in a “More Kids in the Woods”-funded program. Karen spent two weeks in Montana this summer learning about fire ecology, camping in the woods and studying aquatic life. The experience left an indelible imprint on this teen’s life. Karen wrote the Chief, “Personally, I am a big city girl. But the experience at Big Creek has opened my eyes and I realize that there is other beauty in life besides movies and shopping malls.” Karen’s story is similar to those of 25,000 other youth touched by the “More Kids in the Woods” program, Chief Kimbell said. She highlighted successes involving the Harlem Link Charter School in New York City and “Be Active Bitterroot” as two other initiatives exemplifying the promise of “More Kids in the Woods.”
What’s Next? Ms. Kimbell recognized the strong commitment of the Forest Service’s long-time partners to helping youngsters understand the values of the forests and ecosystems. She suggested using the momentum of many organizations and programs, including the National Wild Turkey Foundation’s JAKES program, Leave No Trace, and National Fishing Week, to advance similar goals.
Partnership Opportunities – Beyond Children
Conservation and Kids Following her prepared remarks, Ms. Kimbell took questions from the audience.Asked to comment on the controversial recreation facility review now underway, Chief Kimbell welcomed the opportunity to explain that the recreation facility analysis gives the Forest Service a better understanding of what facilities exist, their condition, and the investment needed to bring them up to current standards and meet the public’s needs. She also noted that the facility analysis effort relies on public involvement. In response to a question regarding the future of private investment on Forest Service land for recreation, Chief Kimbell referred back to the facility analysis, noting that it will help the Forest Service learn if there are greater demands than the agency’s resources can handle. She suggested that if this were the situation, a database and a business case would need to be developed in order to gain Congressional support and to approach potential private investors. Forest Service Director of Recreation Jim Bedwell responded to a question posed regarding follow up to the ARC-Forest Service regional forums held earlier this year. Mr. Bedwell explained that a number of task forces have been created to tackle prominent issues such as access, roadways, trail systems, children and nature, health, and funding. Mr. Bedwell said that both the Forest Service and its partners participating in the forums were truly motivated by the discussions at the meetings and are looking forward to working together on these issues. ARC President Derrick Crandall applauded Chief Kimbell for mentioning the urban national forests, stating that they make a strong impression on the American people and may truly become public teaching institutions. He also encouraged the Chief to make sure the anticipated 2009 surface transportation legislation addresses the troubled transportation infrastructure in the national forests. Chief Kimbell agreed that the urban national forests were yielding great opportunities to give urban youth memorable experiences in the Great Outdoors. She also commented that access as well as road maintenance are definite concerns of the Forest Service. With that being said, she pointed out that, this year alone, the Forest Service has spent $962 million on fire suppression – 25% of its budget – and, unfortunately, road maintenance has suffered because of it. “I don’t like it, but that’s what I have to work with,” she said, adding, “so the transportation bill might be a very important one, for a number of reasons.” The final question asked for the Chief’s perspective on the status of the Travel Management Rule, which addresses OHV management. She noted that the meetings held to address management changes were often contentious, reflecting the sentiment that “[if you] mess with a guy’s recreation, [you] mess with his soul.” While she acknowledged the difficulty of coming to an agreement, Chief Kimbell expressed the belief that once people do work together, there comes a pride in ownership and a “policing through peer pressure” that provide real benefits to trails. Recreation Exchanges are hosted in Washington, D.C. by the American Recreation Coalition 10 times annually, featuring guests who are influencing recreation policy in America. Information on past and future programs is available at: www.funoutdoors.com
If you would like to contact Ms. Kimbell, she can be reached as follows:
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