Shafroth, Jensen Host America's Great Outdoors Initiative Listening Session in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA —Deputy Assistant Interior Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Will Shafroth today joined Deputy Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Jay Jensen to host a listening session under President Obama's America's Great Outdoors initiative to discuss conservation efforts by local communities in the Keystone State that can serve as a foundation for a national conservation agenda for the 21st century.

The listening session, one of a series taking place across the country, gave an opportunity to citizens to share how communities are meeting the challenges of modern-day land conservation and reconnecting Americans to the outdoors.

“We must embrace a conservation ethic that not only overcomes the challenges we face, but also takes advantage of the opportunities presented in the 21st century,” Shafroth said. “With your support and ideas, we can preserve America's heritage, restore our cultural resources, and build a stronger appreciation for America's Great Outdoors.”

“Public and private conservation and natural resource stewardship are integral to the history, culture, and prosperity of Pennsylvania,” said Jay Jensen, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. “We look forward to hearing in greater detail about the hard work happening in the area, because support for successful regional and local conservation efforts will be key as we chart a 21st century conservation agenda.”

President Obama inaugurated the America's Great Outdoors Initiative at the White House Conference on the Great Outdoors in April. The conference brought together leaders from communities across the country that are working to protect their outdoor spaces and focused on developing and supporting innovative ideas for improving conservation and recreation at the local level.

In a Presidential Memorandum, he called on the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality to lead the initiative, in coordination with the Departments of Defense, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Labor, Transportation, Education, and the Office of Management and Budget.

From coast to coast, ranchers, farmers, sportsmen, conservationists, state and local government leaders, tribal leaders, public lands experts, youth leaders, business representatives have been attending listening sessions as a part of a national dialogue about conservation that will lead to greater support for the conservation efforts of private citizens and local communities.

For more information on the America's Great Outdoors Initiative, please visit: http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors.

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