Pennsylvania State Parks Hosting 'Get Outdoors Day' Observances
HARRISBURG, Pa., June 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources acting Secretary John Quigley announced today that six state parks across Pennsylvania have been selected to host a day-long series of special events as part of a nationwide Get Outdoors Day celebration on Saturday, June 13.
"Living in a state blessed with 117 state parks and 2.1 million acres of state forestland, it's not hard to step outside and enjoy the great outdoors, but many people are working to make that experience even easier," Quigley said. "The second annual Get Outdoors Day celebration gives us a chance to showcase what is offered from Bucks to Erie counties."
The secretary noted Governor Edward G. Rendell gave the effort strong momentum in late May when he joined other state governors, a consortium of federal agencies and nonprofit organizations, and the recreation industry in proclaiming June as Great Outdoors Month.
"This upcoming special day is geared to first-time visitors to our parks," Quigley said. "DCNR has pitched in by urging state residents to visit their area state parks and state forestlands and see what they have been missing."
Daylong, special Get Outdoors activities are planned at the following state parks:
Nockamixon, Bucks County; Nescopeck, Luzerne County; Parker Dam, Clearfield County; Keystone, Westmoreland County; Moraine, Butler County; and Presque Isle, Erie County.
All six state parks are showcasing what Pennsylvania's world of the outdoors have to offer, while, at the same time, embracing the philosophy of the American Recreation Coalition, an extensive network of outdoors-oriented, governmental agencies, conservation groups, and related businesses, committed to bucking a very disturbing trend -- a trend highlighted by Governor Rendell in his proclamation:
"Great Outdoors Month is a significant opportunity to help reconnect our children to nature and reverse the troubling nationwide trends of children spending half as much time outside as they did 20 years ago and spending six and a half hours each day 'plugged into' electronic media," the Governor said. "Outdoor recreation is vital to the economy of the Commonwealth, and the health and well-being of its residents; and this worthy pursuit will be showcased in Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 13."
Increased involvement in outdoors-based activities was the driving force that drew hundreds to the 2007 Governor's Outdoor Conference, and has been the impetus of state planning and strategy sessions to reverse what has become a national trend away from outdoor activities.
Get Outdoors Day will feature kayaking demonstrations, birds-of-prey exhibits, hiking and biking, special tips for first-time campers at the six participating state parks. Details including contacts and registration information can be found at www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org/locations/.
Complete details on the nationwide observances of Great Outdoors Month and its get Outdoors Day can be found at www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org.
Editor's Note: The text of Governor Rendell's May 20, 2009, proclamation follows:
PENNSYLVANIA GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH - June 2009
WHEREAS, Great Outdoors Month is an opportunity for Pennsylvanians to celebrate and experience our great Commonwealth's natural splendor and renew our commitment to conserve our air, water, and land; and
WHEREAS, through biking, swimming, skiing, hiking, hunting, fishing and many other activities, we are able to enjoy the healthy benefits of outdoor recreation and enjoy memorable experiences with family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Great Outdoors Month is a significant opportunity to help reconnect our children to nature and reverse the troubling nationwide trends of children spending half as much time outside as they did 20 years ago and spending six and a half hours each day "plugged into" electronic media; and
WHEREAS, conserving our natural resources and enhancing our legacy of environmental stewardship and enjoyment of the great outdoors by protecting open space, restoring wildlife habitats, educating young people about the environment, planting trees and maintaining recreational trails is critical; and
WHEREAS, outdoor recreation is vital to the economy of the Commonwealth, and the health and well-being of its residents; and this worthy pursuit will be showcased Saturday, June 13, in National Get Outdoors Day events at Keystone, Moraine, Presque Isle, Parker Dam, Nescopeck and Nockamixon state parks; and
WHEREAS, through the 2007 Governor's Outdoor Conference and the subsequent public meetings held throughout the Commonwealth, we understand that our future quality of life depends on our ability to understand, appreciate and enjoy Pennsylvania's natural bounties; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's resource agencies, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Game Commission and the Fish & Boat Commission, provide the public with detailed information on outdoor opportunities in Pennsylvania and help connect people to nature.
THEREFORE, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim June 2009 "Great Outdoors Month" in the Commonwealth. I urge all Pennsylvanians to reaffirm their commitment to enjoying, protecting and conserving the quality of our outdoors.
GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, this 20th day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and thirty-third.
Edward G. Rendell, Governor
CONTACT: Terry Brady
(717) 772-9101
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
"Living in a state blessed with 117 state parks and 2.1 million acres of state forestland, it's not hard to step outside and enjoy the great outdoors, but many people are working to make that experience even easier," Quigley said. "The second annual Get Outdoors Day celebration gives us a chance to showcase what is offered from Bucks to Erie counties."
The secretary noted Governor Edward G. Rendell gave the effort strong momentum in late May when he joined other state governors, a consortium of federal agencies and nonprofit organizations, and the recreation industry in proclaiming June as Great Outdoors Month.
"This upcoming special day is geared to first-time visitors to our parks," Quigley said. "DCNR has pitched in by urging state residents to visit their area state parks and state forestlands and see what they have been missing."
Daylong, special Get Outdoors activities are planned at the following state parks:
Nockamixon, Bucks County; Nescopeck, Luzerne County; Parker Dam, Clearfield County; Keystone, Westmoreland County; Moraine, Butler County; and Presque Isle, Erie County.
All six state parks are showcasing what Pennsylvania's world of the outdoors have to offer, while, at the same time, embracing the philosophy of the American Recreation Coalition, an extensive network of outdoors-oriented, governmental agencies, conservation groups, and related businesses, committed to bucking a very disturbing trend -- a trend highlighted by Governor Rendell in his proclamation:
"Great Outdoors Month is a significant opportunity to help reconnect our children to nature and reverse the troubling nationwide trends of children spending half as much time outside as they did 20 years ago and spending six and a half hours each day 'plugged into' electronic media," the Governor said. "Outdoor recreation is vital to the economy of the Commonwealth, and the health and well-being of its residents; and this worthy pursuit will be showcased in Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 13."
Increased involvement in outdoors-based activities was the driving force that drew hundreds to the 2007 Governor's Outdoor Conference, and has been the impetus of state planning and strategy sessions to reverse what has become a national trend away from outdoor activities.
Get Outdoors Day will feature kayaking demonstrations, birds-of-prey exhibits, hiking and biking, special tips for first-time campers at the six participating state parks. Details including contacts and registration information can be found at www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org/locations/.
Complete details on the nationwide observances of Great Outdoors Month and its get Outdoors Day can be found at www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org.
Editor's Note: The text of Governor Rendell's May 20, 2009, proclamation follows:
PENNSYLVANIA GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH - June 2009
WHEREAS, Great Outdoors Month is an opportunity for Pennsylvanians to celebrate and experience our great Commonwealth's natural splendor and renew our commitment to conserve our air, water, and land; and
WHEREAS, through biking, swimming, skiing, hiking, hunting, fishing and many other activities, we are able to enjoy the healthy benefits of outdoor recreation and enjoy memorable experiences with family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Great Outdoors Month is a significant opportunity to help reconnect our children to nature and reverse the troubling nationwide trends of children spending half as much time outside as they did 20 years ago and spending six and a half hours each day "plugged into" electronic media; and
WHEREAS, conserving our natural resources and enhancing our legacy of environmental stewardship and enjoyment of the great outdoors by protecting open space, restoring wildlife habitats, educating young people about the environment, planting trees and maintaining recreational trails is critical; and
WHEREAS, outdoor recreation is vital to the economy of the Commonwealth, and the health and well-being of its residents; and this worthy pursuit will be showcased Saturday, June 13, in National Get Outdoors Day events at Keystone, Moraine, Presque Isle, Parker Dam, Nescopeck and Nockamixon state parks; and
WHEREAS, through the 2007 Governor's Outdoor Conference and the subsequent public meetings held throughout the Commonwealth, we understand that our future quality of life depends on our ability to understand, appreciate and enjoy Pennsylvania's natural bounties; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's resource agencies, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Game Commission and the Fish & Boat Commission, provide the public with detailed information on outdoor opportunities in Pennsylvania and help connect people to nature.
THEREFORE, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim June 2009 "Great Outdoors Month" in the Commonwealth. I urge all Pennsylvanians to reaffirm their commitment to enjoying, protecting and conserving the quality of our outdoors.
GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, this 20th day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and thirty-third.
Edward G. Rendell, Governor
CONTACT: Terry Brady
(717) 772-9101
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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