March 25th

By Mutt Mulligan

U.S. Dept. of Interior Announces Plan to Connect Youth to Great Outdoors

TurfMutt’s tail is wagging for joy over a new initiative launched by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). It is working to connect millions of young people to America’s great outdoors.

The DOI launches program to get kids interested in the great outdoors.

Under an order signed last week by DOI Secretary Sally Jewell, opportunities for nature-related recreation, education,  volunteer and career experiences will be expanded for millions of youth and veterans. The order formalizes the goals of the youth initiative that the DOI first announced back in October. You can learn more about it by watching this video.

The goals are to help young people play, learn, serve and work in America’s natural and cultural resources. The effort aims to connect youth to nature and to bridge the growing divide between children and the great outdoors.

Jewell noted one-third of the Department of the Interior’s work force will be eligible to retire in five years, creating the need for America to raise up a new vanguard of professionals to care for our natural and cultural resources for future generations.

Click here to learn more about the Interior Department’s youth initiative.