Office of the Secretary |
Contact: Kathryn
Harrington
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For Immediate Release: April 16, 2004 |
(202) 208-3568
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Take Pride in America Celebrates One-Year Anniversary
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WASHINGTON - Take Pride in America, a partnership program devoted to volunteerism on public lands, today celebrates its one-year anniversary. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton announced the Take Pride in America program on April 16, 2003. One year later, Take Pride in America has weekly volunteer events around the country and has formed partnerships with 100 charter partners and more than 40 state volunteer coordinators. "A year ago, we built the foundation of a terrific program. Since then, Take Pride in America has not only grown, but it has truly improved our public lands," Norton said. "Take Pride in America has attracted the interest of countless Americans - volunteers from all over our nation who are making a difference on lands ranging from community gardens to ocean beaches." Take Pride in America is part of President Bush's USA Freedom Corps and is a successful partnership involving federal, state and local governments, conservation, youth and recreation groups, and top national corporations and organizations. "When I joined the Take Pride team, I had no idea how much support there would be for this program. One year later, it's obvious," Marti Allbright, Take Pride in America executive director, said yesterday at a meeting of Charter Partners. "The support is tremendous, the interest is growing and there are more opportunities than hours in the day." The cornerstone of Take Pride in America is the belief that you have to engage individuals to take responsibility for improving their community environment. The program aims to encourage volunteers from every corner of America to keep our nation beautiful, whether it is at a national forest in the West, at a community beach on the Gulf of Mexico or on the sidewalk in front of an urban home. Take Pride in America Year One Accomplishments
The Interior Department manages
more than one in five acres in the United States. A federal workforce
alone cannot protect and enhance the special legacy all Americans share
- public parks, forests, grasslands, reservoirs and wildlife refuges,
as well as cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds and recreation
areas. Take Pride in America calls on all Americans to be stewards of
our land. Learn more by visiting www.TakePride.gov.
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