[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 66787-66788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23632]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 188 / Wednesday, September 28, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 66787]]


                Proclamation 9501 of September 23, 2016

                
National Public Lands Day, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Nothing can truly capture the beauty and majesty of 
                America's expansive landscapes and wide-open acres. On 
                National Public Lands Day, Americans from coast-to-
                coast celebrate these spaces by participating in the 
                largest single-day volunteer effort to restore and 
                enhance the lands we all enjoy. Volunteers will remove 
                litter and invasive plant species, blaze new trails and 
                maintain existing ones, and plant seeds that will grow 
                in the years to come--taking full advantage of the 
                chance to give back to the lands that have given us all 
                so much.

                Our public lands reflect our shared history, and enable 
                us to connect to each other and to something bigger 
                than ourselves. National Parks, forests, wildlife 
                refuges, conservation lands, and marine sanctuaries not 
                only strengthen our economy through tourism and provide 
                endless recreational and educational opportunities, but 
                are also home to important biodiversity and rich 
                ecosystems. I am proud that my Administration has 
                protected hundreds of millions of acres of these vital 
                lands and waters--more than any Administration in 
                history. Through the America's Great Outdoors 
                Initiative, we have also promoted innovative, 
                community-level efforts to conserve outdoor spaces and 
                reconnect Americans with nature. And through the 21st 
                Century Conservation Corps, we have worked to inspire 
                millions of young adults and veterans to engage in 
                hands-on service in the great outdoors.

                On National Public Lands Day, all federally managed 
                public lands and waters are offering free admission so 
                Americans can observe this day not just by caring for 
                these spaces, but by enjoying their vast wonders. To 
                ensure more young people can discover our great 
                outdoors, my ``Every Kid in a Park'' initiative is 
                again giving fourth grade students and their families 
                free access to all National Parks and other Federal 
                lands for an entire year. And as the National Park 
                Service celebrates 100 years of preserving and 
                protecting these important spaces, we are encouraging 
                more Americans to ``Find Your Park'' and explore the 
                extraordinary parks and public lands in their 
                communities.

                As stewards of our environment and caretakers of these 
                public lands, we must build on our legacy of 
                conservation. Climate change poses the single biggest 
                threat to our natural resources. Across our country, we 
                are experiencing stronger storms, harsher droughts, 
                increased flooding, and longer wildfire seasons that 
                put these public spaces at risk--which is why any 
                effort to fully combat climate change must include 
                protecting our land, water, and wildlife. Let us 
                rededicate ourselves to this critical work and continue 
                looking after these natural treasures and protecting 
                our historic and cultural heritage for 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 24, 2016, 
                as National Public Lands Day. I encourage all Americans 
                to participate in a day of public service for our 
                lands.

[[Page 66788]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-third day of September, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                first.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-23632
Filed 9-27-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P