If you have an interest in conservation and reconnecting to America’s outdoors, representatives from President Obama’s administration want to hear from you.
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy and representatives from the Departments of Interior and Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Council on Environmental Quality will participate in a listening session on President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative Aug. 20 in Godfrey, Illinois. At this session, administration representatives will hear the public’s ideas, concerns, and issues regarding a 21st century conservation and recreation agenda and reconnecting with the outdoors. The public listening session will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Lewis and Clark Community College.
Prior to the afternoon meeting, officials will speak with youth at a “Rediscover the River” workshop and youth listening session. The youth session will provide participants with hands-on activities focusing on recreation and water resources. It will also provide young people with the opportunity to join the conversation and share their ideas. The youth event will be held at the National Great Rivers Museum in Alton, Ill., from 9 to 11 a.m. The public is invited to both events.
This listening session is one of a series being held across the country. President Obama inaugurated the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative at the White House Conference 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.
The secretaries of Interior and Agriculture, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality have been asked by the president to lead this effort and to listen and learn from people across the country.
WHO: Jo-Ellen Darcy, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Secretary of Interior, and other agency leaders will be present to hear your thoughts and participate in a conversation about America’s Great Outdoors.
WHAT: Opportunities to share your ideas with senior officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Departments of Interior and Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Council on Environmental Quality.
Youth Workshop and Listening Session
9 to 11 am, Friday, August 20
National Great Rivers Museum
#2 Locks and Dam Way, Alton, Illinois
Public Listening Session
2 to 4 pm, Friday, August 20
Lewis and Clark Community College
5800 Godfrey Rd, Godfrey, Illinois
Please Register: The event is free and open to the public, but organizers need to know how many will attend so they can plan accordingly. To register, visit: www.mvs.usace.army.mil. For more information on the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative or to submit comments on-line, visit: www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/.