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