[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 8656 of April 15, 2011

National Park Week, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Every day, America's national parks--from the smallest historic sites to
the largest natural spaces--contribute to our Nation's collective health
and spirit. These places preserve our unique history and iconic symbols.
They protect ecosystems and serve as reservoirs of biodiversity. They
are sources of natural sounds, clean water, and fresh air. Our parks
provide accessible, safe, and affordable places to appreciate the bounty
of our land. They offer opportunities for wholesome outdoor recreation,
which can improve the health and vitality of all Americans.
In no place is America's natural and historic legacy more evident than
our extraordinary collection of 394 national parks. ``Healthy Parks,
Healthy People,'' the focus for this year's National Park Week,
highlights the role of public lands--whether an iconic national park or
a local green space--in connecting human and environmental well-being.
To encourage citizens to spend time in national parks, all entrance fees
will be waived during National Park Week. All Americans can visit
www.NPS.gov to find nearby parks where history can be discovered and
nature explored.
America is fortunate to have a long history of conservation pioneers,
like President Theodore Roosevelt, who understood the value of
protecting our most precious landscapes. My Administration is building
on this legacy with the America's Great Outdoors Initiative, designed to
create a 21st-century conservation ethic and reconnect Americans with
our natural, cultural, and historic heritage. We are working to ensure
more American children have access to safe and clean parks and open
spaces close to their homes. We will better support the farmers,
ranchers, and private landowners that help protect rural landscapes and
we will manage our public lands and waters with a renewed commitment to
sound stewardship and resilience. As part of this responsibility,
Federal agencies are also partnering with the First Lady's ``Let's
Move!'' initiative on ``Let's Move Outside!,'' a program that connects
young people and their families to the outdoors to encourage healthy
recreation.
The National Park Service, with 84 million acres of land and 17,000
miles of trails, works with environmental groups, scientists, business
innovators, and health-care providers to promote physical activity in
parks. Every Federal dollar invested in our national parks generates
benefits for State and local economies. Beyond park boundaries, the
National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance
Program works with communities to create and enhance local parks,
revitalize rivers, preserve valuable open spaces, and develop trail and
greenway networks that provide close-to-home outdoor opportunities for
everyone--from children to seniors--to get outside, get healthy, and
have fun.
During National Park Week, we reaffirm our need to maintain connections
to the natural world. Whether on the open range or in the heart of a
bustling city, each of us can work to conserve our lands and rein

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force the importance of setting aside beautiful places for inspiration,
relaxation, and recreation for all people.
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 April 16 through April
24, 2011, as National Park Week. I encourage all Americans to visit
their national parks and be reminded of these unique blessings we share
as a Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fifth.
BARACK OBAMA