The U.S. Department of Education announced the creation of the Green Ribbon Schools program to recognize schools that are creating healthy and sustainable learning environments and teaching environmental literacy. The new awards program will be run by the Education Department with the support of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Preparing our children to be good environmental citizens is some of the most important work any of us can do,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said at an event announcing the new program. “It’s work that will serve future generations and quite literally sustain our world.”

“Each day, we ask students across the nation to demonstrate excellence, integrity and leadership in the classroom, and in return, the Federal Government must do the same,” said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “The Green Ribbon Schools program will recognize healthy learning spaces that promote environmental literacy and prepare our leaders of tomorrow to win a clean energy future.”

“The schools taking part in this initiative will help kids connect what they’re learning in science class with the world around them, allowing them to envision solutions to tomorrow’s challenges while living healthier lives today,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “By making green living a part of everyday learning, Green Ribbon Schools will prepare our children to win the future by leading our global green energy economy.”

The Green Ribbon Schools program reflects President Obama’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and preparing today’s students for jobs in fields that provide clean energy solutions.

EPA Administrator Jackson and CEQ Chair Sutley joined Secretary Duncan at the announcement at a ceremony planting a tree at the Department of Education’s headquarters. The Texas live oak they planted is the same tree that is depicted in the Education Department’s seal, symbolizing the Department’s commitment to securing our nation’s future by promoting student achievement and fostering education excellence.

The Green Ribbon Schools program will be modeled after the Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which annually honors public and private schools that are either high performing or have improved student achievement to high levels.

Through the Green Ribbon schools program, the Education Department, the EPA, and CEQ will recognize schools for energy conservation, creating healthy learning spaces, and teaching environmental literacy.

“Environmental literacy is an important part of a well-rounded, world-class education,” Secretary Duncan said. “Through the Green Ribbon Schools program, we’ll be holding up schools that are leading the way in teaching science and in ways that show students the importance of developing clean energy sources and sustainable solutions for the environment.”

The application for the program will be released later this year, and the first group of “Green Ribbon Schools” announced next year.

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(4 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)

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Every day, America’s national parks — from the smallest historic sites to the largest natural spaces — contribute to our Nation’s collective health and spirit. These places preserve our unique history and iconic symbols. They protect ecosystems and serve as reservoirs of biodiversity. They are sources of natural sounds, clean water, and fresh air. Our parks provide accessible, safe, and affordable places to appreciate the bounty of our land. They offer opportunities for wholesome outdoor recreation, which can improve the health and vitality of all Americans.

In no place is America’s natural and historic legacy more evident than our extraordinary collection of 394 national parks. “Healthy Parks, Healthy People,” the focus for this year’s National Park Week, highlights the role of public lands — whether an iconic national park or a local green space — in connecting human and environmental well-being. To encourage citizens to spend time in national parks, all entrance fees will be waived during National Park Week. All Americans can visit www.NPS.gov to find nearby parks where history can be discovered and nature explored.

America is fortunate to have a long history of conservation pioneers, like President Theodore Roosevelt, who understood the value of protecting our most precious landscapes. My Administration is building on this legacy with the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, designed to create a 21st-century conservation ethic and reconnect Americans with our natural, cultural, and historic heritage. We are working to ensure more American children have access to safe and clean parks and open spaces close to their homes. We will better support the farmers, ranchers, and private landowners that help protect rural landscapes and we will manage our public lands and waters with a renewed commitment to sound stewardship and resilience. As part of this responsibility, Federal agencies are also partnering with the First Lady’s “Let’s Move!” initiative on “Let’s Move Outside!,” a program that connects young people and their families to the outdoors to encourage healthy recreation.

The National Park Service, with 84 million acres of land and 17,000 miles of trails, works with environmental groups, scientists, business innovators, and health-care providers to promote physical activity in parks. Every Federal dollar invested in our national parks generates benefits for State and local economies. Beyond park boundaries, the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program works with communities to create and enhance local parks, revitalize rivers, preserve valuable open spaces, and develop trail and greenway networks that provide close-to-home outdoor opportunities for everyone — from children to seniors — to get outside, get healthy, and have fun.

During National Park Week, we reaffirm our need to maintain connections to the natural world. Whether on the open range or in the heart of a bustling city, each of us can work to conserve our lands and reinforce the importance of setting aside beautiful places for inspiration, relaxation, and recreation for all people.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 16 through April 24, 2011, as National Park Week. I encourage all Americans to visit their national parks and be reminded of these unique blessings we share as a Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

For the official White House release, click here.

(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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WASHINGTON, DC — Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the Department of the Interior has established a website for youth that will serve as a one-stop shop for information on job and internship opportunities, upcoming outdoor events, educational resources and more.  Secretary Salazar made the announcement about YouthGo.gov today during a live webchat on the White House website with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack about President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative.

“This website is designed to help young people get out, get involved, and get a job when it comes to the great outdoors,” said Secretary Salazar.  “Young people are the next generation of conservationists and we must empower them to take a leadership role in shaping their future.”

The new website – www.YouthGO.gov—is part of an Interior-wide effort to engage young people in recreation and conservation efforts and to increase employment and career opportunities.  After establishing a Youth in the Great Outdoors office, Interior hired more than 21,000 youth in 2010 – an increase of 45 percent over the previous year.  The website features links to a wide variety of internships and seasonal and permanent job opportunities within Interior, ranging from working concessions in a National Park to building trails on public lands.

The website, spearheaded by the National Conservation Training Center of the Fish and Wildlife Service, will also serve as a means for federal partners, educators, and community organizations to showcase their events and employment opportunities. Youth can also share their stories – and find ways to interact with federal agencies and partners directly.

Youth employment, education and engagement is a top priority of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative to establish a recreation and conservation ethic for the 21st century based on the priorities of American communities.  The initiative is the result of a national dialogue that included 51 administration-hosted listening sessions around the country – 21focused on youth – and more than 100,000 comments received in person or in writing.

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(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Last month President Obama announced the final report of his America’s Great Outdoors initiative, featuring you, young Americans who are excited about conservation and ready to get involved in the outdoors. Your suggestions were clear. You want the outdoors to be relevant and accessible to everyone. You want jobs and more opportunities to learn in the outdoors. But most importantly, you want to help make it happen. Now, we want to keep the conversation going.

Please join us on Thursday March 17th at 2:00 pm EST as Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar answer your questions live at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live.

Submit your questions in advance on the YouthGO YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/user/YouthGOdoi or send them to YouthGO@ios.doi.gov.

You can also submit questions live via the White House Facebook app at http://apps.facebook.com/whitehouselive.

With the release of the America’s Great Outdoors report we mark a new beginning in our efforts to reconnect our nation’s young people to the natural places that define our country and fuel our spirit of adventure. Our nation’s youth have spoken. Now it’s up to us to listen to what you’ve said.

We look forward to having you on Thursday, March 17th.

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Archived video — closed captioning available via YouTube:

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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