 |
|
Dear NPLD Site Managers, Partners and Volunteers:
In support of the Let's Move Outside initiative and its commitment to get more youth outdoors on public lands, we will be highlighting programs and events that benefit young people by providing opportunities to get outdoors leading up to National Public Lands Day.
Thanks to the hard work of government agencies and nonprofits engaging youth in new and innovative ways, this year promises to have more young people active in the outdoors than ever before.
Some of the great programs and events for youth include:
- Kids to Parks Day, May 21
- National Trails Day, June 4
- National Get Outdoors Day, June 11
- Great American Backyard Campout, June 25
- Outdoor Youth Summits (see article for dates and locations)
- Let's G.O! The Children and Nature Network
- National Public Lands Day, September 24
We hope that everybody can take advantage of some of these opportunities throughout the summer and that the energy carries on through to September for National Public Lands Day. Our goal is to have more young people outside to make a difference for public lands, nature and themselves.
Get out there!
Robb Hampton
Director, National Public Lands Day |
|
Youth in the Great Outdoors
Launches New Interactive Website: YouthGo.gov | |
 Youth in the Great Outdoors (YGO) is an initiative of the Department of the Interior (DOI) to empower America's youth to be socially responsible and environmental stewards.
YGO has three main goals: employ, educate and engage young people.
- Employ: YGO will increase job and internship programs for youth age 25 and under and provide clearer pathways for hiring within the DOI.
- Educate: Improve and expand DOI educational programs to meet curricula standards and stay relevant.
- Engage: Ensure that young people of all backgrounds and cultures are getting their needs met and are offered meaningful DOI programs.
One of the first successes of the YGO initiative is the launch of the new website: YouthGo.gov. YouthGo is DOI's primary source for youth-related online content. It is a one-stop website for youth looking for outdoor events, educational resources, job opportunities and more.
The site also serves as a means for federal partners, educators and community organizations to showcase their events and opportunities while connecting to DOI and USDA resources. Youth can share their stories - and find ways to interact with federal agencies and partners directly.
Visit YouthGo.gov to get outside and involved! |
|
Outdoor Nation Youth Summits
Help Break Down the Barriers to Youth Getting Outside | |
Outdoor Nation is looking for young people, ages 18-28, who want to work together to get Americans active in the outdoors. They are invited to attend one of five youth summits to connect with one another, identify top outdoor issues, brainstorm solutions and create resources to bring those ideas to life.
The summits are spread across the United States:
- NYC, Outdoor Nation National Congress - June 24-26
- Minneapolis - July 15-17
- Denver - July 22-24
- San Francisco - July 29-31
Delegates will spend some quality and well deserved time outdoors. Each summit will include a Summer Fun Day: an afternoon of recreation and entertainment activities. Delegates can participate in traditional recreation activities like kayaking, fishing, climbing, hiking and biking and other activities like outdoor music, birding, wildlife programs, art and theater.
Food, materials and lodging for out of state delegates are provided for. All delegates have to cover is travel to the summits.
Check out www.OutdoorNation.org for more information on the regional summit series, how to apply and other cool opportunities available through Outdoor Nation.
|
|
Free Water Quality Test Kits for Site Managers
Limited Number Available - Register for NPLD Today | |
 In partnership with World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD), National Public Lands Day encourages volunteers to evaluate the quality of our nation's waters.
WWMD is offering 100 FREE water monitoring test kits to NPLD site managers. The test kits offer an easy and fun way to integrate an educational program into your NPLD activities. While performing water quality experiments, site managers can teach lessons on watersheds, runoff, estuaries and pollution.
To receive a test kit, register for either NPLD or WWMD. Mark the appropriate check box and a test kit will be mailed to you over the summer. If you have already registered for NPLD and would like a kit, email npld@neefusa.org.
Register for NPLD while test kits are still available.
|
|
Let's G.O.! Month was a Success
Celebrate Children and Nature All Year Long | April 2011 was designated as the first annual Let's G.O.! month. The goal of Let's G.O.! is to get kids outside for play, service and to celebrate nature. Events occured throughout the month of April and it was so successful that partners are encouraged to host Let's G.O.! events the rest of the year. 
The month-long Let's G.O.! celebration far exceeded expectations with 532 events in 44 states. The events included Americans of all ages and ranged from play days to volunteer service activities.
The Children and Nature Network (CNN) is a group of collaborating nonprofits, partners and individuals that work to get young people outside in nature. CNN recognizes the mental and physical benefits of play and the outdoors. |
|
|
Site of the Month
An Outdoor Laboratory for Learning about Forests | |
The Diamond Fork Youth Forest is a living classroom and the Forest Service hosts a variety of school programs at the forest, including lessons on bird migration, stream ecology, forest management and service learning. Students from across Utah are invited to the Youth Forest to learn about the natural world.
After spending the day at the Diamond Fork Youth Forest, students learn that with the right knowledge and critical thinking skills, they can be scientists, naturalists, explorers and problem solvers. Everyone has the potential to help their forests and be a better steward of the land.
For National Public Lands Day, the Diamond Fork Youth Forest is inviting 150 volunteers to remove invasive species, plant native seeds and maintain the Discovery Trail. NPLD is the perfect opportunity for students to take part in a community service project.
|
The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) provides knowledge to trusted professionals who, with their credibility, amplify messages to national audiences to solve everyday environmental problems. Together, we generate lasting positive change.
NEEF partners with professionals in health, education, media, business and public land management to promote daily actions for helping people protect and enjoy the environment. Through our primary programs- Classroom Earth, National Public Lands Day, National Environmental Education Week, Business and Environment, Earth GaugeŽ, and Health and Environment- we offer Americans knowledge to live by. To learn more, call (202) 833-2933 or visit www.neefusa.org.
| |
|
|
Our Programs | |
National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve America's public lands. NPLD began in 1994 with three federal agencies and 700 volunteers.
The Public Lands Program aims to increase the capacity of public lands stewards to engage local communities to help care for our public lands. The Public Lands Program provides online training resources, networking opportunities and small grants to increase the capacity of friends groups.
|
| | |
National Sponsor | |
Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. operates under a Global Earth Charter which was set forth to promote environmental responsibility for every aspect of the company and significantly reduce the impact that Toyota's vehicles have on the planet.
In line with their commitment to environmental responsibility, Toyota has sponsored the National Public Lands Day program for 13 consecutive years. They have also sponsored Tour Grants and the Every Day Grants.
Toyota encourages employees to get involved in NPLD activities by helping to care for parks, forests, rivers, beaches, shorelines and other public lands. Read more about Toyota's strong commitment to the environment and their support of National Public Lands Day.
|
| | |
Corporate Sponsor
| |
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.
Through its partnership with National Public Lands Day, Northrop Grumman employees across the nation will join together to improve and enhance public lands, supporting the company's corporate responsibility efforts in embracing green initiatives and translating values into action. |
| | |
Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts | |
NPLD has a special partnership with both the Girl Scouts of the USA and the Boy Scouts of America.
Scouts are invited to get involved with National Public Lands Day by volunteering at a local park, forest or other public land.
NPLD is an excellent opportunity to educate Boy and Girl Scouts about the natural world while engaging them in the outdoors. Register now.
If your Scout troop registers online with NPLD, they will receive volunteer certificates and Girl Scouts may be eligible to earn the Get with the Land patch.
|
| | |
Fee Free Day |
National Public Lands Day is a fee free day on many federally managed lands. Volunteers who participate on National Public Lands Day at federal land sites are rewarded with coupons for free entry into their favorite federal public land areas. |
|
|
