DOINews: President Obama Proclaims September 25th as National Public Lands Day

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release September 24, 2010

NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY, 2010

From majestic mountain ranges to beloved neighborhood

parks, Americans enjoy the natural places our ancestors

have celebrated and protected for centuries. Our public

lands represent the American spirit and reflect our shared

experience -- our history, our culture, and our deep love

for wild and beautiful places. Every September, thousands

of Americans volunteer their time and talents to protect our

parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, and other public

lands. National Public Lands Day is an occasion to join

together in honor of our Nation's unique natural treasures.

Every year, Americans take this opportunity to conserve

and restore our public places. Last year, an estimated 150,000

dedicated volunteers removed litter and invasive plants; cleaned

water resources; built and maintained trails; and planted trees,

shrubs, and other native plants. This year, I encourage even

more Americans to volunteer in local projects to have a greater

impact on parks and public lands across our Nation.

Taking care of our public lands is and must continue to be

a proud American tradition. In April, I hosted the White House

Conference on America's Great Outdoors to address challenges

and opportunities surrounding conservation today, and to

identify new ways to work together to preserve our natural

bounty. I also inaugurated the America's Great Outdoors

Initiative to build a conservation agenda for the 21st century,

and to reconnect Americans to our great outdoors. To do this,

I instructed my Administration to participate in listening

sessions around the country to hear Americans' concerns, and to

learn about what citizens and communities are doing to safeguard

our land, water, and wildlife, as well as places of historic

and cultural significance. As a Nation, we must engage in a new

conversation about the conservation of the cherished places that

have helped define us.

On this day of service and celebration, I encourage all

Americans to give their time and energy to care for -- and to

go out and enjoy -- our public lands. Together, we can build

upon our history of stewardship so our unique landscapes are

preserved for countless generations to come.

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 September 25, 2010, as National Public Lands

Day. I invite all Americans to join me in a day of service

for our public lands.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

twenty-fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord

two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States

of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA